Current Final

Blog

  • Muslim woman assaulted molested by mob in India, footage sparks outrage

    Muslim woman assaulted molested by mob in India, footage sparks outrage

    Trigger warning: Assault

    In a disturbing incident in Ujjain city, Madhya Pradesh, India, a Muslim woman, who is a physiotherapist by profession, fell victim to a heinous assault and molestation by a group of men while she was on her way home, Dawn has reported on Monday.

    According to local media reports, the incident occurred on Friday, and the suspects allegedly tried to molest her. When she bravely resisted, the attackers resorted to physical violence, subjecting her to a brutal beating. Notably, the girl’s cousin, who rushed to her aid, was also attacked by the assailants.

    Shocking footage of the incident has circulated on social media, showing the attackers using iron rods and bats to assault the victim’s cousin.

    Outraged by the appalling act, members of the Muslim community and local Congress party lawmaker Noori Khan took to the streets and staged a sit-in protest outside the Ujjain SP office, demanding justice for the victims and stringent action against the perpetrators.

    Noori Khan expressed her deep concern and empathy for the victim after visiting her at the Ujjain Civil Hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment for her injuries. Ms. Khan took to Twitter, stating that the victim’s agony and the disturbing sequence of events have left her shocked.

    Adding further details to the incident, the victim herself took to her Twitter account and revealed that five men were involved in the brutal attack.

    Law enforcement authorities have been urged to take prompt action in identifying and apprehending the culprits to deliver justice to the victims and send a strong message against such heinous crimes.

    The incident has also sparked conversations on social media platforms, with netizens coming together to condemn the act and call for measures to ensure the safety of women in public spaces.

    As the investigation continues, the victims and their families await justice, while the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective efforts to eradicate violence against women and create a safer environment for all citizens.

  • Twitter rallies behind Cardi B after she throws mic at fan who splashed drink on her

    Twitter rallies behind Cardi B after she throws mic at fan who splashed drink on her

    This summer we have seen a trend of singers and musicians being assaulted while performing on stage including Bebe Rexha, Ava Max, Drake and Harry Styles. It’s clearly gross to witness public figures turned into fodder for jokes and harassment when they are entertaining us.

    Cardi B became the latest target of the trend when during a performance at Las Vegas, a fan threw a drink on the singer. However, the rapper was quick to respond, throwing her much right back at the assaulter.

    When the incident went viral on social media, fans were quick to defend the ‘WAP’ singer, calling out the people who refuse to recognise that performers are not spectacles to be made fun of, and no woman should be assaulted when they’re doing their job.

    “Exactly it’s about time a performer retaliated to this ‘trend’”, a user wrote.

    https://twitter.com/VioletHazeDC/status/1685462525918232576?s=20

    Grammy winning singer Adele recently slammed concert-goers for throwing things at singers, threatening to respond back brutally if someone assaulted her while she was singing on stage.

    “Have you noticed how people are like, forgetting f****** show etiquette at the moment? People just throwing s*** on stage, have you seen them?” Adele was seen speaking in a fan-recorded video.

    “I f****** dare you. Dare you to throw something at me and I’ll f*****g kill you.”

    https://twitter.com/LAVISHSZN_/status/1685464761947897856?s=20
  • Bilawal Bhutto attends unveiling of Benazir Bhutto’s statue at Madame Tussauds in Dubai

    Bilawal Bhutto attends unveiling of Benazir Bhutto’s statue at Madame Tussauds in Dubai

    Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended the Commemoration Ceremony at which a wax figure of his mother, the Muslim world’s first female Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, was unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Dubai.

    In a tweet on Sunday, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman said that, “With immense pride and humility, I attended the unveiling of the statue of the first Pakistani personality to be commemorated at Madame Tussauds today in Dubai – the inimitable, the indomitable, the irreplaceable, my mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.”

    He hoped that  statue will serve to inspire generations to come and remind us of the enduring resonance of the values of his mother lived and fought for – democracy, justice, human rights, rule of law, compassion, and freedom.

    He further expressed gratitude to the Madame Tussauds Dubai on behave of the Bhutto Family for the gesture, he said, “My family and I, and indeed, all Pakistanis are profoundly grateful to Madame Tussauds Dubai for honouring Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s memory and legacy.”

    The late Benazir Bhutto was the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Muslim world. She became the head of the country at the age of 35, after a prolonged fight against the dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq, who had hanged her father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

    Benazir Bhutto was killed in a terrorist attack in Rawalpindi after giving a speech at an election rally in December 2007. Just two months earlier, she had survived a terrorist attack on her convoy after her triumphant return to Pakistan.

  • ‘Elections either in three months or two years’; Raja Riaz sets alarm bells ringing

    ‘Elections either in three months or two years’; Raja Riaz sets alarm bells ringing

    Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Raja Riaz, has set alarm bells ringing with his prediction that if elections are not held within three months, they will be delayed for two years.

    “I can see two scenarios. I have told you about them both,” he told Dawn News in an interview. When prompted if he had been told this by someone, Riaz clarified that it was what he can foresee based on his political experience.

    “There are two positions. One, if you look at democracy and constitution, general elections should take place within 90 days,” he said. However, he added that considering the severe economic challenges the country is facing, “a decision in the nation’s interest should be taken.”

    He also expressed the opinion that a caretaker setup should be given at least one year to fix the economic problems.

    Raja Riaz is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday to give names for his nominees of caretaker Prime Minister.

  • Pakistan’s stock market crosses 48,000 mark after two years

    Pakistan’s stock market crosses 48,000 mark after two years

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 index soared past the 48,000 mark, reaching a 24-month high, on Monday, as investors responded to recent positive economic developments in the country. Analysts predict that the prevailing positive sentiment is likely to continue in the coming days.

    The bullish trend in the market gained momentum after Pakistan reached a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The agreement with the IMF has provided investors with renewed confidence in the country’s economic prospects, leading to a surge in market activity.

    Additionally, news on Pakistan’s mineral sector contributed significantly to the market’s gains. The announcement of favorable developments in the country’s mineral sector further boosted investor optimism and drove the benchmark index to reach new heights.

    During intra-day trade, the KSE-100 index saw a significant increase of 1,010.72 points or 2.15 per cent, culminating at 48,062.56 points. This remarkable rise marks a notable increase from the previous close of 47,076.9 points, which itself was a 21-month high.

    The impressive growth of the market has been sustained over time, as evidenced by a remarkable overall gain of more than 6,600 points (+15.9 per cent) since the staff-level agreement was reached with the IMF. The deal, which amounted to a $3 billion Standby Agreement, has been instrumental in driving investor confidence and attracting more capital to the market.

    Financial experts and market observers are optimistic about the future trajectory of the Pakistan Stock Exchange, given the positive economic indicators and recent developments in the country.

    The confidence in the market has sparked interest from both local and international investors, resulting in increased trading volumes and a positive impact on the overall economy.

  • Nawaz will face the law after return to the country, Shehbaz confirms

    Nawaz will face the law after return to the country, Shehbaz confirms

    According to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, will face the law after his return to Pakistan.

    In an interview on Geo News’ ‘Jirga’, Shehbaz Sharif said that his brother, the former prime minister who has been living in London since 2019, will come back to his homeland in the next few weeks.

    Shahbaz Sharif further said that “Nawaz Sharif will return home and face the courts and he is not like Imran Khan who is not respecting the law while living in this country”

    In a response to a question, PM Shehbaz called the May 9 riots, which were started by the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in a corruption case, a conspiracy against Pakistan.

    The Prime Minister further said, “Those involved in the May 9 incidents wanted to overthrow the military leadership”.

    Shehbaz Sharif also said that the people involved in the May 9 riots as well as the planners of this incident wanted “anarchy” and “civil war”.

    To another question, the prime minister said that his government struggled hard to bring the country back from default risk and restore the lost dignity of Pakistan.

  • FBR imposes 400% tax increase on payments to non-residents via debit and credit cards

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken a significant step to discourage the outflow of foreign exchange reserves by raising the withholding tax (WHT) on payments to non-resident individuals through debit and credit cards. The move aims to curtail the substantial impact of such payments on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

    The FBR recently issued Circular Number 2 of 2023, which outlines the amendments to the Finance Act 2023. As per the circular, the Finance Act 2022 had introduced section 236Y, subjecting payments to non-residents through debit/credit cards to a 1 per cent withholding tax rate for Active Taxpayer List (ATL) persons and 2 per cent for Non-ATL persons.

    However, considering the considerable foreign exchange outflows resulting from these transactions, the FBR has implemented a drastic increase in withholding tax rates through the Finance Act 2023. According to The News, for ATL persons, the withholding tax rate has been elevated from 1 per cent to 5 per cent, and for Non-ATL persons, it has been raised from 2 per cent to 10 per cent. This means a fourfold increase in tax rates for both categories of taxpayers as well as non-filers.

    According to estimates shared by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) with parliamentarians before the 2023-24 budget, monthly payments made through credit cards or debit cards amounted to approximately $70 to $100 million, resulting in an annual outflow of around $1 billion.

    In line with the Finance Bill, the FBR has been granted powers under Section 236Y to levy advance tax on individuals remitting amounts abroad through credit, debit, or prepaid cards. As per the Finance Bill 2022, the proposed advance tax rate on such remittances was set at 1 per cent of the gross amount remitted abroad.

    The implementation of the increased withholding tax is expected to have a considerable impact on curbing unnecessary foreign exchange outflows and strengthening the country’s forex reserves. It also serves as a measure to encourage individuals to transact responsibly and ensure the stability of the country’s economic landscape.

    As the FBR takes these steps to address forex challenges, stakeholders and taxpayers await the outcomes and potential adjustments in the overall economic landscape. The move also highlights the government’s efforts to strike a balance between promoting foreign investments and managing capital outflows to ensure sustainable economic growth in the country.

  • New study reveals more than 50% of marketers are using AI to boost content creation

    New study reveals more than 50% of marketers are using AI to boost content creation

    A comprehensive study conducted by Bynder, a leading digital asset management platform, sheds light on the numerous ways the marketing industry is leveraging AI technology to enhance efficiency in day-to-day tasks and explores the potential for further advancements in this domain.

    The study, which delved deep into Bynder’s customer base, comprising prominent global brands such as Spotify, Puma, and Five Guys, revealed that more than half (55 per cent) of respondents are currently employing AI tools in their content production processes. These AI integrations are primarily focused on automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, including generating initial draughts (54 per cent), content optimisation (43 per cent), and ensuring correct spelling and grammar (42 per cent), among others.

    The marketing industry has been quick to integrate AI into various daily operations, encompassing brainstorming ideas, drafting engaging social media posts and landing page copy, crafting attention-grabbing headlines, establishing tone of voice guidelines, and conducting research tasks. Additionally, AI has proven valuable in reducing the time spent on laborious SEO activities such as generating meta-descriptions and translations. The most common tasks involving AI in this regard include content re-use (30 per cent), creating tone of voice guidelines (27 per cent), content governance (25 per cent), and translation tasks (25 per cent).

    Looking forward, the study’s respondents emphasised the need for businesses to consider how AI technology can enhance and streamline content production processes rather than simply replacing human input. To add even more value to content operations, the potential applications of AI suggested by respondents include personalising website content based on individual browsing history and preferences, developing chatbots to improve user navigation, and providing content recommendations derived from user behavior and sentiment analysis. Moreover, AI could simplify content creation by generating initial drafts that can later be refined by human teams.

    Respondents noted that training AI to comprehend a company’s intended tone of voice and speaker style could be beneficial. Furthermore, having AI make recommendations or automatically create and update timelines and revision histories could be advantageous from a broader perspective.

    However, while embracing AI technology, marketers emphasised that its primary purpose should be to improve the quality of content rather than solely focus on cost-cutting measures. They stressed the importance of striking the right balance between human expertise and AI capabilities to achieve optimal results.

    Warren Daniels, the CMO of Bynder, expressed satisfaction with how customers and marketers are leveraging AI to drive innovation and efficiency. At Bynder, the focus has been on developing AI and automation capabilities to empower marketers to maximise the value of their creative and editorial content. He emphasised that in today’s competitive landscape, creating exceptional content experiences is crucial for standing out, and responsible adoption of AI technology plays a pivotal role in enabling this.

    However, Daniels cautioned against replacing human creativity with AI. Instead, he advocated for integrating AI into existing processes in a way that frees up time for teams to concentrate on more creative endeavours. The creation of high-quality content demands thorough research, a genuine understanding of a brand’s core messages and tone of voice, and a touch of human empathy. AI should be harnessed in a managed or controlled manner to complement human creativity rather than hinder it.

  • 44 killed, 200 injured in suicide blast at JUI-F workers’ convention

    44 killed, 200 injured in suicide blast at JUI-F workers’ convention

    Almost 44 people have been killed in a suicide in a Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) worker’s convention In Bajaur on Sunday. The caretaker Information Minister, Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel, told Geo News that the explosion occurred during a JUI-F leader’s address, resulting in more than 200 injuries.
    According to the district emergency officer, the injured are being transported to Timergara and Peshawar.


    Samiullah, a cameraman for Geo News, is one of the injured and has been taken to the Lower Dir district headquarter hospital as reports emerged that he is reportedly in severe condition.


    Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Akhtar Hayat has confirmed that the first investigation indicated that the attack was a suicide bombing.
    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed officials to investigate the attack and identify those who are responsible for it.

  • Ye KP mein kya ho raha hai: Mexican woman flies to Pakistan to marry Facebook lover

    Ye KP mein kya ho raha hai: Mexican woman flies to Pakistan to marry Facebook lover

    Rosa, a 49-year-old woman from Mexico, has flown to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to marry 18-year-old Izaz Ali, a young man she met on Facebook.

    According to Geo, a police official has confirmed that Rosa arrived in KP on June 17 with complete documentation to marry Ali, a resident of Buner.

    The two have married in a lavish ceremony, with Rosa changing her name to Ayesha after embracing Islam.

    According to DPO Shah Hassan, Ayesha flew back to Mexico on July 19. Ali is currently completing his Matric exams and will fly to Mexico once his results are out.

    This is the fourth case in recent weeks of a foreign woman flying to KPK to marry a local man. On Saturday it was revealed that 36-year-old Nicola from Chile flew to Upper Dir to marry Ikramullah, whom she had met on TikTok.

    READ MORE: Humaray paani mein kuch hai? In third love story this month, Chile woman flies to marry Pakistani lover