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  • Australia whitewashed Pakistan in three-match Test series

    Australia whitewashed Pakistan in three-match Test series

    In the last Test series match between Pakistan and Australia, Australia defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets and whitewashed the three-match series.

    On the fourth day of the Sydney Test, Pakistan had given Australia a target of 130 runs to win.

    Earlier, Pakistan lost the Melbourne Test by 79 runs, and Pakistan also lost the Perth Test by a huge margin of 360 runs.

    Chasing the target, Australia’s first wicket fell to zero, opener Usman Khawaja fell victim to Sajid Khan and returned to the pavilion. In their second innings on the fourth day of the match, Australia scored 91 runs for losing one wicket until the lunch break.

    Steve Smith scored 4 runs and Maruns Labuschagne scored 55 to lead his team to victory. Australia achieved the target of 130 runs given by Pakistan for the loss of two wickets in 25.5 overs on the fourth day.

    Earlier, at the beginning of the fourth day, the Pakistani team was dismissed by scoring 115 runs in the second innings.

  • Pakistan grapples with massive Rs63.4 trillion debt

    Pakistan grapples with massive Rs63.4 trillion debt

    In November 2023, Pakistan’s total debt soared to an alarming Rs63.399 trillion, marking a significant increase from Rs50.959 trillion in the same month of the previous year. 

    According to details, this surge comprises Rs40.956 trillion in domestic loans and Rs22.434 trillion in international loans.

    The recent development follows Pakistan’s commitment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new loan programme. 

    As outlined in the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Table, Pakistan has pledged to boost foreign reserves to $13.6 billion in FY2024–25, facilitating access to the IMF’s financial assistance.

    To support its financial strategy, Pakistan is planning to roll over a $6.34 billion loan in the upcoming fiscal year, coupled with a targeted increase of $1.31 billion in foreign investments, as highlighted by the MEFPT. 

    These measures aim to navigate the country through its evolving economic landscape.

  • McDonald’s CEO admits markets in Middle East affected by boycott

    McDonald’s CEO admits markets in Middle East affected by boycott

    McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski revealed on Thursday that a number of markets in the Middle East, and some beyond, were undergoing a “meaningful business impact” following the Israel-Hamas escalation and “associated misinformation” with regards to the brand.

    Since October 7, when Israel intensified its ground and air raids in Gaza and killed more than 22,000 people, several fast-food chains, including McDonald’s and Starbucks, have been boycotted by consumers due to their “pro-Israeli stance and alleged financial ties to Israel”.

    Kempczinski deems the “misinformation” regarding the brands “disheartening and ill-founded.”

    “In every country where we operate, including in Muslim countries, McDonald’s is proudly represented by local owner operators who work tirelessly to serve and support their communities while employing thousands of their fellow citizens,” Kempczinski said in a LinkedIn post.

    In October, following the escalation, McDonald’s Israel posted on social media that it gave thousands of free meals to Israel Defense Forces members.

    This move was repudiated by McDonald’s franchises in some Islamic states.

    Since then, many brands have felt the impact of boycotts in Egypt and Jordan as well as non-Arab countries like Muslim-majority Malaysia.

    Reuters reports that as of fiscal 2022, the company franchised and operated about 40,275 McDonald’s restaurants across more than 100 countries. The fast-food chain reported total annual revenue of $23.18 billion in the year.

    Shares of the company were down marginally in afternoon trading.

  • No signal from ‘any quarters’ to postpone upcoming polls, Solangi confirms

    No signal from ‘any quarters’ to postpone upcoming polls, Solangi confirms

    The federal Caretaker Minister for Information, Murtaza Solangi, stated on Friday that the interim government has not received any indication from any source to postpone the upcoming elections set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    Earlier on Friday, Senator Dilawar Khan tabled a resolution in the sparsely attended Upper House, which garnered the required support despite opposition from Information Minister Murtaza Solangi and Senator Afnan Ullah Khan of the Muslim League (N).

    Talking to journalists outside the Parliament House, Solangi said: “So far, no signal has been received from any quarters regarding the postponement of elections.”

    He also stated that only the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has the authority to postpone general elections.

    The minister believed that there were no instructions from interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar or the federal cabinet to postpone polls.

    According to Article 218(3) of the Constitution, ECPhas the power to conduct elections, give a date, or change the date for elections, he said.

    “We cannot interfere in the affairs of a constitutional body.”

  • Federal cabinet to approve FBR restructuring in upcoming meeting

    Federal cabinet to approve FBR restructuring in upcoming meeting

    In a significant development, the caretaker government has concluded the comprehensive restructuring plan for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    The approval for this pivotal reform comes from the Apex Committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), highlighting a crucial step towards enhancing efficiency and transparency in Pakistan’s tax administration.

    According to reliable sources, the Apex Committee granted its approval for the FBR’s reforms and restructuring plan during its recent meeting. The caretaker government is now poised to move a summary for the approval of the FBR’s restructuring plan in the upcoming federal cabinet meeting.

    The decision to move the summary will follow the meticulous review of the minutes of the last SIFC committee meeting, ensuring a thorough examination of the proposed reforms. The anticipated summary aims at facilitating the implementation of a robust action plan geared towards restructuring Pakistan’s tax administration, thereby fortifying the internal governance mechanisms of the FBR.

    As part of the ongoing reform initiative, the caretaker government is contemplating the establishment of a dedicated Customs Board to oversee the operations of Pakistan Customs. This strategic move aims to streamline and enhance the efficiency of customs affairs while ensuring a clear demarcation from the revenue collection mechanism.

    It is expected that the revenue collection mandate will continue to be under the purview of the FBR. In line with this reform trajectory, the creation of a separate Inland Revenue Board is also under consideration, which will operate under the vigilant supervision of the Revenue Division.

    This bifurcation is designed to address concerns related to smuggling and other illicit activities, providing a specialised focus on each aspect of tax administration.

    Furthermore, as part of the tax reform programme, five federal secretaries, namely Finance, Industries and Production, National Food Security, Commerce, and Interior, are slated to become ex-officio members of the proposed Customs Board. This inclusion is envisioned to bring multidimensional expertise to the board, fostering collaboration among various sectors crucial for effective customs management.

    The restructuring plan marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s efforts to modernise and fortify its tax administration system. The caretaker government’s commitment to transparency and efficiency is evident in these strategic reforms, setting the stage for a more resilient and responsive revenue collection framework.

    The anticipated approval of the summary at the federal cabinet meeting will further propel the implementation of these transformative changes.

  • British-Pakistani given royal award for saving 29 lives

    British-Pakistani given royal award for saving 29 lives

    Pakistani-British rail worker Rizwan Javed, who has saved 29 people from taking their own lives since 2015, has been appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Geo’s Murtaza Ali Shah reported.

    Rizwan Javed, from Leyton in East London, works for the MTR Elizabeth line at Ealing Broadway and Paddington stations. He joined the railway around 10 years ago and at the start of his career, he attended the Samaritans training course.

    Talking to the Geo News, Rizwan said, “I am thankful to Allah for this honour. It’s all due to the prayers of my parents that I have been recognised in the King’s New Year’s Honours List. It’s a huge honour for me that my work in the mental health area has been recognised this way.”

    He has been instrumental in saving several lives at the platform during the course of his work by being alert and approaching vulnerable individuals in weak moments.

    He gave credit to his training at Samaritans, “With the Samaritans, I learned how to identify vulnerable people, what sort of conversations to have with them, how to engage them, how to look out, and how to take them to the point of safety.”


    Within the first week after starting his railway job, Javed helped stop someone from taking their own life.


    Recalling an incident Rizwan shared that in one instance he talked to a girl in her mid-20s after identifying that she needed help. “A few days later, she came running to me at the station and gave me a big hug. She said she wouldn’t be alive today if I had not talked to her that night and if I had not convinced her that life was worth living. That was very emotional and rewarding.”


    He said people are not educated about mental health issues and these things create an impact.


    He told Geo News that he believes that Allah will always reward him for helping others and being there for those who have no one else to talk to them or undergoing. He credited his Pakistani parents for teaching him from a young age the importance of being helpful and charitable.


    He said: “My parents always taught me how to be a good and useful citizen, how to make a positive difference.”


    Javed and his parents were thrilled when they received the government letter telling him he was being appointed MBE for his services.


    MBE is the third highest ranking Order of the British Empire level (excluding a knighthood/damehood), behind Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and then Officer of the Order of British Empire (OBE).

  • Judge postpones decision on Cher’s conservatorship request for son, Elijah Blue Allman

    Judge postpones decision on Cher’s conservatorship request for son, Elijah Blue Allman

    In a courtroom drama unfolding on Friday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jessica A. Uzcategui deferred a ruling on the immediate establishment of a conservatorship for Elijah Blue Allman, son of iconic singer and actor Cher.

    The court is set to revisit the contentious issue on January 29, as attorneys representing both parties continue to spar over the necessity and urgency of the conservatorship.

    Cher, a recipient of Oscars and Grammys, filed a petition last week, seeking control over the finances of her 47-year-old son, Elijah Blue Allman. The legal move comes as Cher expressed concerns about Allman’s struggles with addiction and mental health, asserting that his inability to manage his finances could potentially jeopardise his life.

    During Friday’s hearing, Judge Uzcategui determined that Cher’s legal team had failed to provide Allman and his lawyers with the requisite documents, impeding their ability to present a comprehensive case. Consequently, she postponed a decision, setting the stage for a follow-up hearing later this month.

    Cher’s attorney, Gabrielle Vidal, emphasized the urgency of the conservatorship, highlighting a pending payment from a trust established by Allman’s late father, musician Gregg Allman. Vidal argued that the immediate establishment of the conservatorship was critical, describing it as a “life-and-death proposition.” However, Uzcategui remained unconvinced.

    The judge pointed to Cher’s legal team’s reluctance to share information directly with Allman’s attorneys, citing confidentiality concerns. Cher’s lawyers defended their decision, stating that they had shared the documents with Allman’s court-appointed lawyer instead.

    In a court filing preceding the hearing, Allman acknowledged his struggles with addiction and irresponsible spending but asserted that a conservatorship was unnecessary. He revealed that he is under the care of a doctor, has been sober for over three months, attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and is willing to undergo regular drug tests.

    In the filing, Allman expressed gratitude for his mother’s love and support but made it clear that he does not require her “unsolicited help or support” at this time. Allman was present in court on Friday but offered only brief responses to the judge’s inquiries. His legal team opted not to comment after the hearing.

    Cher did not attend the hearing, and her attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment. As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of the conservatorship hangs in the balance, with both sides set to present their cases in the coming weeks.

  • American couple’s dog eats cash worth more than 11 lac and they retrieve it through vomit and poop

    American couple’s dog eats cash worth more than 11 lac and they retrieve it through vomit and poop

    A Pittsburgh couple’s dog Cecil ate through 4,000 dollars in cash, leading his owners to embark on a difficult recovery mission.

    The couple, Clayton and Carrie Law were in shock when their dog ate the huge sum they had just withdrawn from the bank. Clayton had set the money on the kitchen table and within 30 minutes their usually restrained dog just decided to hop onto it. The dog ingested about half the money and ripped up the other half, Clayton said.

    After searching online, the couple found that damaged currency can be mailed or dropped off at the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s office along with a letter stating the estimated amount and the reason for damage.


    However, this is expected to take six months to three years. Instead of waiting, Carrie said the couple called their bank to see if they could deposit damaged currency. They learned this happens often, and the bank advised them to wait until Cecil expelled the cash – one way or another.
    That same night, the dog vomited almost 100 dollars, the couple told USA Today in an interview.


    During the next three days, Cecil excreted a couple of 50 and 100-dollar bills. The couple had a system in place: Clayton would pick up the feces and stand at their sink, sorting what came out. Meanwhile, Carrie would try to match the serial numbers on the scraps of bills and tape them together.
    The Laws were able to recover around $3,500 of the original $4,000 Cecil ripped up and ate. They still have the recovered money in their home and they are planning to see if the bank will accept it.


    When Carrie posted a video of what happened on Instagram, she initially thought only a few friends would see it and engage with it.
    Since it was posted on Dec. 14, the video has received nearly 11.6 million views on Instagram.

  • The reason why your bank’s SMS alerts no longer include account balance

    The reason why your bank’s SMS alerts no longer include account balance

    In a bid to fortify the safety and security of digital banking experiences, banks in Pakistan have recently implemented a crucial update, removing customers’ account balance information from SMS alerts.

    This proactive move aims to safeguard users’ privacy and protect their sensitive financial details.

    Previously, users would receive SMS alerts from their banks, displaying their account balance whenever they made transactions or received funds from other accounts. However, this service has now been discontinued, prompting mixed reactions from the public.

    While some Pakistanis express reservations about this security update, it is essential to understand that the decision was made to enhance user privacy. To access their account balance conveniently, customers can now log into their respective bank’s mobile application.

    The update aligns with the recommendations of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), as outlined in the central bank’s BPRD Circular No. 04 of 2023. This security enhancement has been uniformly implemented across the entire banking industry in Pakistan.

    The move comes in response to the rising trend of fraud and mobile banking scams, necessitating measures to protect account privacy, especially in public spaces.

    With SMS notifications often visible on lock screens, the removal of account balances adds an extra layer of security, ensuring sensitive financial information remains confidential.

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has consistently advised banks and microfinance banks (MFBs) to implement appropriate controls and remedial measures to enhance the security of digital banking products and services. As the digital landscape continues to evolve rapidly, these measures become crucial in mitigating the risk of fraudulent activities.

    The adoption of digitization has significantly transformed the financial landscape, allowing banks and MFBs to cater to the growing needs of customers.

    However, the State Bank of Pakistan emphasises the importance of supplementing digitization with necessary controls to effectively counter the risk of fraudulent activities and maintain the integrity of digital banking products and services.

  • Cost of living rises in Pakistan: Weekly inflation jumps by 0.81%

    Cost of living rises in Pakistan: Weekly inflation jumps by 0.81%

    In a recent report by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the Weekly Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the Combined Group witnessed a marginal increase of 0.81 per cent Week on Week (WoW), concluding on January 04, 2024.

    The SPI also exhibited a substantial 42.86 per cent Year on Year (YoY) surge when compared to the corresponding period from the previous year.

    The Combined Index, reflecting the overall price movement, stood at 313.66 as of January 04, 2024, compared to 311.14 on December 28, 2023. In contrast, a year ago on January 05, 2023, the index was reported at 219.56.

    Out of the 51 items considered, the average prices of 19 items experienced an increase, 09 items observed a decrease, and 23 items remained stable throughout the week.

    During this period, notable price hikes were observed in tomatoes (16.04 per cent), chicken (13.98 per cent), eggs (3.20 per cent), onions (3.04 per cent), and bananas (2.13 per cent).

    Moreover, significant decreases were noted in the prices of potatoes (8.68 per cent), tea Lipton (1.29 per cent), garlic (0.68 per cent), and cooking oil 5 litre & vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (0.54 per cent) each.

    Analysing the weekly SPI percentage change across income groups revealed a universal increase ranging from 0.79 per cent to 0.84 per cent. The Lowest Income Group experienced a rise of 0.81 per cent, while the highest income group recorded a slightly lower increase of 0.8 per cent.

    On a yearly basis, the SPI change across different income segments exhibited a general increase ranging from 35.33 per cent to 46.38 per cent. The Lowest Income Group saw a yearly rise of 35.33 per cent, while the highest income group recorded an increase of 41.35 per cent.

    Noteworthy price points in the market included Sona urea, with an average price of Rs4,618 per 50 kg bag, marking a 0.02 per cent increase from the previous week and a substantial 72.45 per cent surge compared to the previous year.

    In contrast, the average Cement price recorded at Rs1,226 per 50 kg bag showed a 0.47 per cent decrease from the previous week but stood 17.43 per cent higher than prices observed last year.

    These fluctuations in the SPI underscore the dynamic nature of the market, reflecting both short-term variations and longer-term economic trends.

    As consumers and businesses navigate these changes, analysts are closely monitoring the SPI for insights into broader economic patterns.