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  • Upto 2-years imprisonment, fines for defaming the Army; Senate approves Army Act amendments

    Upto 2-years imprisonment, fines for defaming the Army; Senate approves Army Act amendments

    The Army Act Amendment Bill has sailed through the Senate on Thursday after Defence Minister Khwaja Asif presented it in the Upper House. The Senate session was chaired by the Chairman of the Senate, Sadiq Sanjrani.

    According to the bill, the disclosure of official information obtained in national interest will be punished by up to 5 years in jail, while anyone who discloses information against the interests of Pakistan or the Pakistan Army will be dealt with under the Secrets Act or Army Act.

    According to the bill, a person on sensitive duty will not become involved in any political activity. Violation of the rule can be sentenced by up to 2 years of imprisonment.

    Any person involved in electronic crimes whose aim is to defame the Army will be prosecuted under Electronic Crimes. It is further stated in the bill that a person involved in defaming the Army or spreading hatred against it will also be sentenced with to up to 2 years imprisonment and fines.

    While this was happening, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) staged a walkout from the Senate, calling the passage of several bills in one day “blind legislation.”

  • PPP’s Sherry didn’t stop Khawaja Asif’s sexist remarks in Parliament and Twitter is refusing to accept her explanation

    PPP’s Sherry didn’t stop Khawaja Asif’s sexist remarks in Parliament and Twitter is refusing to accept her explanation

    Minister of Defence Khawaja Asif once again went on a misogynistic rant in the National Assembly earlier this week. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader passed degrading and sexist comments about women from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), calling the party’s senators Sania Nishtar, Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, Falak Naz Chitrali and Fawzia Arshad “leftover garbage” and implying that they are depraved women.

    Twitter rightfully criticised the 73-year-old for using sexist and gross jokes to put down women, but they also noticed that when this happened, female politicians from PML-N and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), were present, including Climate Minister Sherry Rehman.

    Rehman has on Thursday posted a tweet explaining her silence over Khawaja Asif’s sexist speech, but despite her best efforts, you can’t ever ‘woman-splain’ overlooking misogyny.

    “Honestly, I’m sorry,” she wrote. “I was sharing some points on the passage of our National Adaptation Plan with a colleague in the National Assembly yesterday instead of listening to the noise outside House business in Parliament. I would have intervened to stop women Parliamentarians from being insulted. I did hear a tail end, but thought it was the usual political match against each other, not specific to women at all. Of COURSE I was not smiling at the remarks. That was about how pleased I was at the consensus I got in cabinet for the climate plan, which took many nights to get done. Had I heard the remarks of course I would have intervened. My bad.”

    For many Twitter users, this apology was incredibly late and did not send solidarity to the women subjected to Khawaja Asif’s disgusting remarks, which they pointed out to the PPP minister.

  • Veer-Zara Chinese version? Woman travels to KP to marry Pakistani lover

    Veer-Zara Chinese version? Woman travels to KP to marry Pakistani lover

    After Anju from India, a woman from China, Gao Fang, 20, has travelled to Pakistan to marry her lover Javed, 18, who lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    According to the Lower Dir District Police Officer, the two met on Snapchat and remained in contact for three years. The woman travelled on a tourist visa to the Samar Bagh area. Currently, the police has provided Fang with security and restricted her movement due to security concerns.

    The Pakistani man, Javed, lived in Bajaur district, but had shifted to live with his uncle in Lower Dir.

    According to Aaj News, Fang converted to Islam, taking up the Muslim name, Kiswa. Javed also had plans to visit China in the near future.

    This is the second case this week where a foreign woman has travelled to Pakistan to marry a man here.

    Read more: Indian woman marries Pakistani lover from KPK

  • Man buys more than £12,000 dog costume, ventures out to make friends as a dog

    Man buys more than £12,000 dog costume, ventures out to make friends as a dog

    In an unconventional bid to fulfill a lifelong dream of ‘becoming an animal’, an individual known only as Toco recently stepped out donned in an intricately designed collie costume, valued at over £12,480 ($16,500).

    The story of the dedicated dog lover was covered by Mail Online. Toco enjoys a following of almost 30,000 YouTube subscribers, becoming an internet sensation due to his peculiar pursuit.

    Hailing from Japan, Toco spent approximately two million Yen on his lifelike dog outfit. Regular updates on his YouTube channel, ‘I want to be an animal’, showcase Toco frolicking in his backyard, enthusiastically performing tricks for pretend dog food, all while maintaining a quadrupedal stance.

    Toco has now taken his unique hobby a step further by venturing out into public spaces to meet both people and other dogs. The internet personality can be seen in recent videos exploring a park, sniffing at other dogs, and rolling around on the grass, all while leashed.

    The public reaction to Toco’s antics, ranges from amused inquisitiveness to mild bewilderment. Despite his newfound fame and a burgeoning fan base, Toco prefers to keep his real identity concealed.

  • Pakistan Stock Exchange surges to 21-month high as KSE-100 index crosses 47,000 mark

    Pakistan Stock Exchange surges to 21-month high as KSE-100 index crosses 47,000 mark

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange witnessed a significant surge as the benchmark KSE-100 index surpassed the 47,000 milestone on Thursday, reaching its highest point in 21 months. This remarkable upswing was fueled by positive market sentiment following the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal.

    Notably, the bullish position was further fortified by impressive corporate performance, particularly within the index-heavy sectors. At 12:10 pm, the benchmark index surged by 560 points, settling at 47,242.9 points, marking its peak since November 8, 2021, as reported by Arif Habib Limited (AHL), a prominent brokerage firm.

    AHL emphasized that the market had recorded a noteworthy gain of 5,751 points (13.9 per cent) since the staff-level agreement with the IMF for the $3 billion Standby Agreement (SBA).

    This positive momentum was attributed to increased valuations after securing the IMF SBA facility, as explained by Tahir Abbas, AHL’s Head of Research, in an interview with Geo.tv. He highlighted that the current Price-Earnings Ratio (PER) of the KSE-100 stands at 3.7x, which is relatively lower compared to the lowest recorded during the previous financial crisis in 2008 (3.9x).

    Abbas asserted that the market remains attractive, and as a result, the positive momentum is expected to continue. Analyst Saad Ali, an expert in the capital market, attributed the market’s favorable performance to the combination of IMF optimism and the outlook for enhanced macro stability, which has been complemented by strong corporate results during the present result season. Despite facing challenging macroeconomic conditions, several banks and companies have managed to surpass expectations in terms of earnings and payouts.

    Last month, Pakistan signed a short-term deal with the IMF, a crucial step that helped the country avert a potential default and bolster its foreign exchange reserves. This move has played a pivotal role in supporting the current bullish trend in the stock market.

    In conclusion, with the positive impact of the IMF deal and encouraging corporate results, the Pakistan Stock Exchange’s benchmark KSE-100 index has achieved substantial growth, positioning itself at a 21-month high. The market outlook remains promising, and experts predict further gains ahead.

  • PM meets Fazal and MQM-P to discuss caretaker set-up

    PM meets Fazal and MQM-P to discuss caretaker set-up

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday to discuss the upcoming caretaker set-up in the country.

    According to the sources of Geo News, the PM will conduct a final meeting with all the political parties in the ruling alliance after Muharram 10 (Ashura).

    PM Shehbaz will meet with the leader of the opposition, Raja Riaz, at the beginning of next month in the National Assembly. The opposition leader will present three names for the position of caretaker PM.

    The PM also held a meeting with the MQM-P leaders at the Governor’s House, where the latter lodged a “strong protest” against the performance of K-Electric and the recent increase in power tariff.

    The PM also met with MQM-P leaders at the Governor House in Karachi. Shehbaz Sharif assured the MQM-P delegation that the final decision regarding the caretaker PM would be made after consulting all the coalition partners in the government.

    Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari of the PPP, Akhtar Mengal of the BNP-M, and Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti of the Jamhoori Watan Party had all already met with PM Shehbaz.

  • Ex-Air Force Officer says U.S. govt collects UFOs

    Ex-Air Force Officer says U.S. govt collects UFOs

    An ex-Air Force intelligence officer, while testifying to Congress, claimed that the U.S. has been secretly operating a long-term program to recover unidentified flying objects. However, these allegations have been refuted by the Pentagon, reported AP.

    During his testimony before Congress, a former Air Force intelligence officer asserted that the U.S. is clandestinely running a program to collect unidentified flying objects, with the U.S. government currently in possession of these retrieved objects. When he was probed further, he confidently stated, “Absolutely, based on interviewing over 40 witnesses over four years.”

    In response to inquiries about the location of these objects, he claimed to be aware of the exact storage sites, which he had reported to the Inspector General. When asked about the nature of activities related to these unidentified objects, he acknowledged that several of his colleagues had suffered physical injuries.

    Upon further questioning to ascertain if the harmful activities were attributed to the unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) or the federal government, he indicated that both were responsible. Despite these statements, the Pentagon has vehemently denied his allegations.

  • Gold price drops by Rs2,000 per tola as Pakistani rupee gains ground against US dollar

    Gold price drops by Rs2,000 per tola as Pakistani rupee gains ground against US dollar

    The gold price in Pakistan experienced a significant decline of more than Rs2,000 per tola following the appreciation of the local currency against the US dollar in the interbank market.

    According to the data released by the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) on Wednesday, the price of 24-carat gold witnessed a decrease of Rs2,400 per tola and Rs2,058 per 10 grammes, settling at Rs222,100 and Rs190,415, respectively.

    Conversely, the international market recorded a $12 increase in the price of gold, bringing it to $1,972.

    The fluctuating gold rate in Pakistan can be attributed to ongoing political and economic uncertainties and high inflation, prompting individuals to seek gold as a safe investment and hedge during such times.

    As per the data provided by the association, the price of silver remained constant at Rs2,750 per tola and Rs2,357.68 per 10 grammes.

    In parallel, the local currency demonstrated a positive trend against the US dollar in the interbank market today, appreciating by Rs1.48 or 0.52 per cent. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported that the rupee closed at Rs287.04 against the dollar.

  • Pakistan’s inflation forecasted to remain between 25-27% for July, says Finance Ministry

    Pakistan’s inflation forecasted to remain between 25-27% for July, says Finance Ministry

    The Ministry of Finance anticipates a decline in inflation for the month of July compared to the previous month, with expectations of it remaining within the range of 25-27 per cent. The ministry’s ‘Monthly Economic Update & Outlook’ for July attributes this anticipated decrease to the recent reduction in administered prices of petrol and diesel, which is expected to lower domestic prices of essential goods by impacting transportation costs.

    The headline inflation in Pakistan slowed to 29.4 per cent in June, marking the lowest reading since January. The report explains that the recent decline in international commodity prices is likely to counteract the inflationary pressures caused by domestic supply shocks. Notably, the benchmark index of international food commodity prices experienced a downturn in June 2023, primarily driven by price decreases in major cereals and various vegetable oils.

    The government’s timely efforts to boost the agriculture sector through the Kisan Package are expected to result in a better crop outlook and smoother domestic supplies. Additionally, anticipated political stability and a stable exchange rate are deemed as factors that would contribute to achieving price stability.

    Regarding the fiscal outlook, the Ministry of Finance expects both exports and imports to gradually increase in the upcoming months of FY2024. Despite other factors, the report projects that the current account deficit will remain sustainable during this period.

    To enhance revenue collection in FY2024, the government has unveiled a comprehensive strategy for all sectors of the economy, aiming to revive economic growth and foster a higher inclusive and sustainable growth trajectory. Various administrative and policy measures have been introduced to increase tax collection, while the State Bank of Pakistan’s withdrawal of import restrictions is expected to stimulate demand and support revenue improvement.

    The report acknowledges the success of the government in ensuring the sustainability of the external and fiscal sectors during FY2023, achieved through the implementation of tough decisions and stabilisation measures. Looking ahead to FY2024, the government aims to achieve higher economic growth of 3.5 per cent through measures such as the Kisan package, industrial support, export promotion, encouragement of the IT sector, and resource mobilisation.

    In conclusion, the Ministry of Finance emphasises that prudent and effective economic decisions, political and economic certainty, and the continuation of friendly economic policies, along with sufficient foreign exchange financing, will be crucial to attaining higher and sustainable economic growth. The recent approval of the Stand-By Arrangement by the International Monetary Fund and other bilateral and multilateral inflows are expected to further improve the macroeconomic environment and enhance the confidence of economic agents.

  • Pakistan ranks 99th in Global Hunger Index 2022, faces serious hunger levels

    Pakistan ranks 99th in Global Hunger Index 2022, faces serious hunger levels

    In the recently published Global Hunger Index (GHI-2022), Pakistan has been ranked 99th out of 121 countries assessed for their hunger levels.

    The GHI report, launched in Islamabad on Tuesday, revealed a drop in Pakistan’s score from 38.1 in 2006 to 26.1 in 2022, but the hunger level is still considered serious, reported Dawn.

    The Global Hunger Index is an annual pre-reviewed report jointly published by Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. Its primary objective is to raise awareness and understanding of the challenges faced in the fight against hunger worldwide.

    According to the report, the combination of armed conflicts, climate change, and the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated hunger issues, forcing approximately 828 million people into hunger globally. Moreover, it highlights that 46 countries are not on track to achieve even a low level of hunger by 2030, signaling the need for urgent action.

    The regions most affected by hunger are Africa, specifically South of the Sahara, and South Asia, with the latter being the worst-hit. Notably, South Asia has the highest child stunting rate and the highest child wasting rate among all world regions.

    Pakistan, with a serious level of hunger, faces significant challenges in eradicating this issue. As the nation strives to address this pressing problem, stakeholders are urged to collaborate and implement solutions that involve local communities and diverse voices in shaping effective policies for food security.

    The Global Hunger Index serves as a vital tool in identifying and tackling hunger-related problems, and it is hoped that with collective efforts, progress will be made towards achieving a hunger-free world.