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  • Installment plans introduced for power consumers struggling with full bill payments

    Installment plans introduced for power consumers struggling with full bill payments

    In a strategic move aimed at addressing the protests triggered by soaring electricity bills and alleviating the burden on citizens, Dr Muhammad Amjad Khan, Chief Executive of the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), has issued a comprehensive directive. This directive mandates all IESCO offices to introduce installment plans tailored to assist customers who are facing challenges in paying their electricity bills in full.

    Against the backdrop of mounting public outcry, Dr Khan’s proactive step aims to alleviate the financial burden on power consumers. These installment plans are envisioned to provide customers with a respite, allowing them to manage their electricity bill payments more effectively while maintaining their financial stability.

    To further enhance customer convenience, IESCO has also taken the initiative to extend the due dates for electricity bill payments. This calculated move underscores the company’s commitment to accommodating the unique challenges faced by its customers.

    Dr Amjad Khan underscored the importance of open communication, urging IESCO’s patrons to engage with the relevant Sub-Divisional Offices, Revenue Offices, or Customer Service Centers for any concerns related to their bills. This approach underscores IESCO’s dedication to ensuring customer satisfaction and resolving any uncertainties promptly.

    Nevertheless, this considerate move coincides with ongoing protests across the nation, ignited by grievances against inflated electricity bills. Demonstrators, who have congregated outside the IESCO office in Rawalpindi for the past four days, have now rallied in various cities, including Sargodha, Hafizabad, Vehari, and Hyderabad.

    In response to the heightened tensions, IESCO officials have taken precautions by involving the local police to bolster security measures. This step is aimed at safeguarding the well-being of both the demonstrators and IESCO’s employees.

    The protestors have been resolute in their demands, seeking a reduction in the substantial charges or even pledging to withhold bill payments until their concerns are heard. These demonstrations, set against a backdrop of broader economic challenges and escalating inflation, reflect the mounting frustrations of citizens grappling with financial hardships.

    The protestors hail from diverse backgrounds, encompassing members of civil society, men and women alike, traders, farmers, and representatives from legal and business sectors. This broad participation underscores the pervasive concern and unified front against economic difficulties and price hikes.

    As electricity prices continue their upward trajectory and taxes weigh heavily on citizens, these widespread demonstrations emphasise the pressing need to address economic grievances.

  • Live worm found in woman’s brain during MRI scan

    Live worm found in woman’s brain during MRI scan

    A woman, suffering from depression and forgetfulness, has had an 8cm-long parasitic live roundworm removed from her brain.


    The 64-year-old of age resident of New South Wales in Australia was referred to the hospital in January 2021 after three weeks of diarrhoea and abdominal pain followed by night sweats and dry cough.


    In 2022 her symptoms, including depression and forgetfulness, increased with medical professionals referring her to Canberra Hospital.


    During an MRI scan of her brain, it was revealed that a living parasite, motilehelminth, was embedded in the right frontal lobe lesion of her brain, the first such instance seen in the world.


    Surgical intervention was deemed necessary. After that, doctors successfully removed the 8 cm (80mm) long 1mm wide worm from her brain.
    The parasite was identified as a third-stage larva of the Ophidascaris Roberts nematode species.


    Usually, this species lives in the digestive tract of pythons, indigenous to New South Wales in Australia. This is the first-ever discovery of that type of parasite in the human brain.

    Read More: Petrol and diesel prices expected to surpass Rs300 per liter this week


    According to medical professionals, the lady may have inadvertently eaten the worm’s eggs while eating edible grass. They suspect that eggs may have hatched in her body and then larvae made their way to her brain.

    They also believe that the larvae may be affected by the medication that she was taking. However, the actual cause of the case is still not confirmed.

  • Imaan Mazari handed to police on three day physical remand

    Imaan Mazari handed to police on three day physical remand

    An anti-terrorism court has handed over Imaan Mazari, the daughter of former federal minister Shireen Mazari, to the police on a three-day physical remand.

    Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Abual Hasanat heard the case against Imaan Mazari in which prosecutor Raja Naveed appeared in court while Zainab Janjua appeared on behalf of Iman Mazari.

    During the hearing, prosecutor Raja Naveed argued that a case had been registered against Imaan Mazari in Bara Kahu police station. The plaintiff accused Imaan Mazari of inciting the youth and instigating them against the state, alleging that he received threats when he broke away from Imaan Mazari’s party.

    Prosecutor Raja Naveed requested the physical remand, which was opposed by her lawyer, saying that a new case was made on the same day that Imaan was supposed to get bail. He asked how can three cases be registered on the same incident.

    She said that a drama is being constructed against Imaan Mazari, while the real purpose of the prosecution against her is something else.

    Imaan’s lawyers requested to discharge her from the case.

    After listening to the arguments of the parties, ATC judge Abual Hasnat reserved the decision, after which she was handed over to the police on a three-day physical remand.

  • Libyan Foreign Minister suspended, flees after meeting with Israel

    Libyan Foreign Minister suspended, flees after meeting with Israel

    AP — Libya’s Foreign Minister, Najla El Mangoush, fled the country after the Libyan Prime Minister suspended her on Monday because she met with her Israeli counterpart.

    In its support for Palestine, Libya does not recognise Israel as a state. Thus, the foreign meeting resulted in public outrage. On the contrary, Israel is working on instituting closer relations with the Arab countries.

    Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called their meeting “historic”, and being “the first step” in establishing relations with Libya.

    Israel’s statement regarding the talks came as a surprise. The Speaker’s Office in the Libyan parliament deemed Najla Mangoush’s meeting as treason, and Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has called for an investigation.

    On Monday, an Israeli official told the BBC that the meeting was not a “chance encounter” but planned in advance — contrary to Libya’s foreign ministry portrayal.

    According to the official, the two sides agreed to the focus of the published statement, which was due to be published on Monday but was released on Sunday instead after the story was leaked to the Israeli media.

    Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid accused the Israeli foreign ministry of being “amateurish [and] irresponsible” and having committed “a serious failure of judgement”.

    In Sunday’s statement, Eli Cohen revealed the discussions which held “great potential for the relations” between Israel and Libya. He added that they talked about Israeli aid in humanitarian issues, agriculture, water management and the importance of preserving Jewish heritage in Libya, including renovating synagogues and cemeteries.

    Libya’s Presidential Council requested “clarification” from the government regarding the matter. The Presidential Council operates as head of state and is in charge of the country’s military.

    A letter from the body stated that the meeting between the two foreign ministers “does not reflect the foreign policy of the Libyan state, does not represent the Libyan national constants and is considered a violation of Libyan laws which criminalise normalisation with the ‘Zionist entity’”.

    It also suggested “to apply the law if the meeting took place”.

  • After protests, people going to court against LESCO

    After protests, people going to court against LESCO

    After a sharp hike in electricity bills, an increasing number of cases are being filed against LESCO in courts, as people turn towards legal recourse as a last option.

    More than 400 cases were filed against WAPDA within a week.

    The court, taking immediate action, ordered the department to divide the bills into installments.

    Consumers have said that they do not have any other option but to go to court. They have rejected the increase in electricity bills and appealed to the government to provide immediate relief.

  • High interest rates and taxes lead to 20.90% drop in car financing in Pakistan

    High interest rates and taxes lead to 20.90% drop in car financing in Pakistan

    In a notable shift, the landscape of automobile financing in Pakistan has undergone a substantial transformation, with figures from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) indicating a significant decline. The data, released by SBP, unveils a marked decrease in car financing, plummeting to Rs285.19 billion in July 2023. This represents a notable 20.90 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decrease and a 2.91 per cent month-on-month (MoM) decrease when compared to the figures from July 2022, which stood at Rs360.55 billion, and June 2023, which registered at Rs293.73 billion.

    The primary contributors to this downward trajectory are multi-faceted. Firstly, the imposition of higher interest rates has played a pivotal role in reshaping the car financing landscape. Additionally, the surge in car prices has also contributed significantly to this downturn. Moreover, regulatory restrictions governing the acquisition of loans have created a notable barrier, further impacting the market. Furthermore, the imposition of elevated taxes on the import of automobiles and their integral parts has compounded the challenges faced by the automobile financing sector.

    Contrastingly, in a separate but related sphere, consumer financing for house building displayed a contrasting narrative. SBP’s data reveals that by the conclusion of July 2023, consumer financing for house building registered at Rs211.11 billion, marking a commendable 4.82 per cent YoY increase. According to Mettis Global, this uptick can largely be attributed to SBP’s proactive measures to stimulate the housing and construction sector within the nation. However, in terms of monthly changes, the figures remained relatively static, with a minor decline of 0.57 per cent.

    Meanwhile, financing for personal use, amounting to Rs250.24 billion, experienced a marginal 0.09 per cent YoY decrease. Similarly, on a monthly basis, financing within this category saw a slight downturn of 0.95 per cent. Consequently, the cumulative credit extended to consumers in various segments reached Rs851.22 billion during the assessment month. This overall credit value reflected a notable 4.70 per cent YoY decline and a 0.99 per cent MoM reduction.

    Furthermore, the credit scenario within the private sector depicted a nuanced picture. Outstanding credit to the private sector encountered a minor 0.06 per cent YoY decrease and a slightly more pronounced 1.12 per cent MoM reduction, resting at Rs8.19 trillion in July 2023. In contrast, loans granted to the manufacturing sector exhibited an encouraging 1.12 per cent YoY increase, amounting to Rs4.48 trillion during the review period. However, on a monthly scale, the loans within the manufacturing sector dipped by 1.44 per cent MoM.

    In summation, the marked decline in car financing, as evidenced by SBP’s recent data, underscores the multifaceted challenges that the automobile financing sector in Pakistan is currently grappling with. While interest rates, car prices, and regulatory curbs have contributed to this downward trend, other sectors such as house building and manufacturing loans have demonstrated distinct trajectories. As the nation navigates through these financial dynamics, stakeholders remain vigilant in monitoring and adapting to these evolving circumstances.

  • ‘Psychiatrist told me I had manic depression’, Mahira opens up about mental health

    ‘Psychiatrist told me I had manic depression’, Mahira opens up about mental health

    Superstar Mahira Khan was a guest on Frieha Altaf’s podcast where she opened up about learning to face her mental health struggles, especially after stepping into Bollywood with the Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Raees’, and the 2017 incident where pictures of her smoking with Ranbir Kapoor emerged online. She also talked about the 2016 Uri attack, after which Pakistani actors were banned from working in Bollywood.

    Reflecting on that time, the actress revealed she dealt with immense backlash, calling it “unexpected”.

    Mahira said she was getting scary calls, hateful messages to the point that she couldn’t travel to India to promote ‘Raees’, which was heartbreaking and it began creating anxiety and depression. The ‘Hum Kahan Kay Sachay Thay’ actress revealed she was constantly seeing her image on television screens, and getting hateful messages telling her to leave India, and it escalated to the point that her faith broke.

    “I developed severe anxiety to the point that one day I had a panic attack and fainted’ recalled Mahira. “That’s the first time I went for therapy.”

    “But that didn’t work out, as I went to several therapists. But either I was not opening up, or the therapist sitting across me would be looking at me with awe thinking ‘what would she have to complain about’?”

    Raees released in 2017, the same year Mahira’s Pakistani film ‘Verna’ released across Pakistan, and at the same time, the picture scandal happened.

    “I couldn’t sleep, my hands would shake,” the ‘Bin Roye’ actress confessed.

    Mahira said she eventually visited a psychiatric hospital, where she was informed that she had manic depression. The actress said for the past six or seven years she has been on anti-depressants. She once tried quitting the meds in the middle which put her in a dark hole.

    “I did understand that there is something beyond me. Beyond the prayers i will do, beyond the friends that will cheer me up, beyond work and success. There is something not right, and it’s okay.”

    The ‘Superstar’ actress said that by talking about her mental health struggles and breaking the stigma surrounding the topic, she hoped more people would learn to approach others for help rather than treat it with shame.

    “I talk it every chance I get. This is the first time I’m opening up about the fact that I’ve been taking medicine for so many years. And when I tried leaving it like I said it was bad… And I was again in and out of hospitals trying to get help. But yes, everybody has ups and downs, bad times and happy times, but clinical depression is real like any other mental illness or physical illness.”

  • Lahore City Police issues traffic plan for Asia Cup matches

    Lahore City Police have issued a traffic order for the three One-Day International (ODI) matches of the 2023 Asia Cricket Cup, which will be played at Gaddafi Stadium from September 3 – 6.


    Lahore traffic police chief officer (CTO) Captain (retired) Mustansar Feroz said the three ODI matches in regional capitals have been done with proper road arrangements.


    About 2000 police personnel, 10 deputy superintendents, and 110 traffic officers will execute duties during the matches. Superintendence of Police (SP) Sadar Malik Ikramullah, SP city police Shehzad Khan, and SP Headquarters Sohail Fazil will lead the force.


    These officers will execute their duties at hotels, airport, Gaddafi Stadium, and parking points near the stadium. Additionally, 20 fork lifters will be working to handle wrong parking.


    “Cricket fans can park their vehicles at Govt. Collage Gulberg, Liberty parking, and LDA plaza” Captain (retired) Mustansar Feroz added.
    On the arrival of the Afghanistan Cricket team, foolproof security was provided to them from the Airport hotel under the supervision of (CTO) Captain (retired) Mustansar Feroz.


    Moreover, arrangements had been made from the hotel to the Gaddafi Stadium and then back to the hotel.
    “Roads will be closed for a short period during the arrival and departure of the teams and then all diversions will be opened,” Captain (retired) Mustansar Feroz said.

    Read More: Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 cricket kit unveiled


    Traffic will run as usual on Canal Road, Mall Road, Ferozepur Road, Jail Road, and Main Boulevard Gulberg Road, he added.


    He further stated that the traffic coming from Canal Road, Mall Road, and Jail Road will enter the college’s main gate from Ferozepur Road. They will also be guided by the Rasta App and Rasta FM 88.6 and via Social media.


    The first match of the Asia Cup 2023 will be played on August 30 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore between Pakistan and Nepal.

  • PTI files a petition in court to conduct elections within 90 days of National Assembly dissolution

    PTI files a petition in court to conduct elections within 90 days of National Assembly dissolution

    Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) asking for general elections to be conducted in Pakistan within 90 days of the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA), Geo has reported.

    The petitioner, Omar Ayyub, who is also PTI’s Secretary General, requested the court to direct President of the country Dr Arif Alvi to announce a date for the elections and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue an election schedule accordingly.

    On the other hand, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has asked the electoral body to issue an election schedule along with the delimitation schedule in order to avoid any confusion. On Monday, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) supported the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in holding elections after the delimitation of constituencies.

    According to the ECP’s official statement issued after the meeting, both parties made their stances clear in front of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, who was also part of the meeting.

  • ‘I am upset’ Maryam Nawaz worried about public’s high bijli bills, says father can save everyone

    ‘I am upset’ Maryam Nawaz worried about public’s high bijli bills, says father can save everyone

    Chief Organiser and Senior Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz Sharif has stated that just as the country was saved from the risk of default within 16 months, similarly, her party under the leadership of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, will also lessen public burden of inflation and skyrocketing electricity bills.

    “We saved Pakistan from default within 16 months, and now we will shield the people from inflation. It’s upsetting that the public has to face challenges like inflation and increased electricity charges,” she said during a meeting with leaders and officials of the party’s Punjab Women Youth Wing in Lahore.

    “If the process of development had not been halted, there would not have been any tears in the eyes of the common man today. The issues of today have emanated from the four-year era of project Imran,” she added in reference to arch-rival Imran Khan who was deposed through a Vote of No Confidence in April 2022.

    Maryam stated that only an elected government will be capable of curbing the demon of inflation and of initiating a period of progress and contentment.

    “InshaAllah, just as we eradicated load-shedding, terrorism, and lawlessness in Karachi, we can also control inflation. Nawaz Sharif is the guarantee of Pakistan’s progress, and he alone can liberate us from all these issues,” she said.

    She also reviewed the performance of the women youth wing and said that she feels pride in seeing the active participation of many women in political activities.

    Maryam said that it is her desire that more party tickets should be given to the youth in the next election because the youth have the ability to make Pakistan a strong country.

    She claimed that female students like the PMLN leadership because of their performance, claiming that her party had become the largest youth and women’s party in the country.

    “PMLN leadership has always empowered the youth, they were provided with laptops and interest-free loans for decent employment,” she said.