Current Final

Blog

  • Fans react to Babar Azam being ‘ignored’ by ICC in World Cup promo

    Fans react to Babar Azam being ‘ignored’ by ICC in World Cup promo

    On July 20, the International Cricket Council (ICC) shared a promo for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Cricket fans around the world have strongly reacted to Babar Azam, number one ODI batter, being ignored by the ICC in its recently released World Cup promo in which Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan also made an appearance.

    ICC tweeted: “History will be written and dreams will be realised at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. All it takes is just one day.”

    However, cricket fans were quick to point out an obvious omission by the ICC in its World Cup promo.

    The missing factor: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam.

    Read more: Babar Azam and co ready to dominate in LPL: auction data released

    Fans called out the ICC for its ‘bias’, not including Babar Azam in the promo and also for making the content more about the Indian cricket team and less about the World Cup.

    Here are some tweets by fans who were not happy with the ICC:

  • Baby monkey gives hard time to wildlife team after it escapes KHI court

    Baby monkey gives hard time to wildlife team after it escapes KHI court

    A dramatic incident unfolded at the city court in Karachi when a baby monkey managed to escape while being brought alongside 13 other monkeys by the Sindh Wildlife Department, reported Geo News.

    Two individuals responsible for transporting the monkeys were arrested by the authorities for violating provincial wildlife laws. The suspects were brought before the district and sessions court on Thursday, which fined them Rs100,000 and ordered to hand over the baby monkeys to the zoo.

    The monkeys were being kept in wooden mango crates, and one clever little monkey managed to escape the confines of its container. The baby monkey sought refuge on a tree, proving to be quite elusive due to its small size and agility, making it challenging for the rescue team to catch. The Sindh Wildlife Department stated that they would continue their rescue operation the next day (Friday), which is today, in an effort to capture the baby monkey still at large in the city court area.

    The department had recovered them during a search of a passenger bus arriving in Karachi from Charsadda. The monkeys were suspected to have been illegally captured from the forests in Charsadda.

    Authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety and welfare of these rescued monkeys, aiming to return them to their natural habitats or appropriate care facilities.

  • Toyota Indus Motor Company suspends car production until August 3

    Toyota Indus Motor Company suspends car production until August 3

    Indus Motor Company Limited has recently made the difficult decision to close its production plant temporarily. The interruption is set to last for two weeks, as the company faces significant challenges in importing essential raw materials, leading to disruptions in its supply chain.

    The root of the problem lies in the difficulties the company and its vendors are encountering in importing raw materials and clearing consignments. These issues are primarily attributed to the struggles with opening letters of credit (LCs) and supply chain problems from certain foreign vendors. Unfortunately, this has left the company with insufficient inventory levels to maintain its production activities.

    The company’s secretary addressed these concerns in a statement released to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, outlining the seriousness of the situation. Indus Motor’s production plant experienced a brief shutdown the previous month due to similar issues with raw material imports. However, the current circumstances have exacerbated the problem, forcing the company to take this temporary production halt.

    Commencing from July 21, 2023, and extending until August 3, 2023, the plant’s complete shutdown is expected to have implications beyond Indus Motors itself. Other major players in the automotive sector, such as Pak Suzuki Motors and Honda Cars, have also faced similar challenges and implemented several shutdown days in recent months.

    The automotive industry, along with other sectors dependent on imported raw materials, has been struggling due to a shortage of foreign exchange reserves in Pakistan. The complications surrounding LCs have severely impacted the supply chain’s seamless functioning, leading to significant disruptions in production activities.

    Indus Motors holds a significant position in Pakistan’s automobile industry and has notably invested $100 million in local production of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Furthermore, the company plays a crucial role in the local automotive ecosystem, with over 50 part manufacturers contributing to the value chain by producing parts worth over Rs250 million every working day.

    Additionally, the company has established 53 independently owned authorised dealerships that provide aftersales service, generating substantial employment opportunities for over 450,000 people directly and indirectly across the country.

    The temporary closure of the production plant presents various challenges for Indus Motors, its employees, and the overall automobile industry. The company’s management is likely to be exploring potential solutions to address the scarcity of raw materials and resume operations as soon as the situation allows.

    As analysts point out, finding lasting solutions may require collaboration between the government and relevant stakeholders to ensure a stable supply of raw materials for the automotive industry and other affected sectors. Swift action and strategic measures will be vital to mitigate the economic impact of these closures and preserve the growth trajectory of Pakistan’s automotive sector.

  • ‘Qabool hai’ is for the woman too Moulvi sahib, not her father

    ‘Qabool hai’ is for the woman too Moulvi sahib, not her father

    In the wildest twist of events, it turns out that sometimes, even during your Nikkah, women are not asked if they accept the marriage or not.

    A video went viral on Instagram where television host Aisha Abrar was seen sitting for her Nikkah with her husband, where the molvi was seen asking her husband about whether he had accepted the marriage. He did not ask Aisha for her consent. Her husband asked the molvi to ask his wife for whether she had consented to the marriage. Aisha wrote on Instagram:

    “I told him all I really want is to say: “Qubool hai” which I never got to say . I did not only want to sign the papers and be done with it.

    The Maulvi sahab did not give me a chance to say “Qubool hai” so my boyo ensured I get to say something affirmative also. Qubool hai ki bajaaye manzoor hai but hua to sahi!”

    We would like all women to remember that during your Nikkah, it is important for the moulvi sahib to ask the girl and the boy separately if they wish to get married. It’s not the girl’s representative, who answers this question for her.

    The video had received over 30,000 likes on Instagram with many users applauding the husband for taking a stand and acknowledging his wife’s right.

    ‘It’s important to ask the girl herself…glad your partner took a stand for you,” another user wrote.

    Women shared their own stories in the comments section as well of the times they had taken a stand and asked that they are consulted about their consent before signing the nikkahnama.

  • Police arrest university’s chief security officer for objectionable videos of female students, drug possession

    Police arrest university’s chief security officer for objectionable videos of female students, drug possession

    Trigger warning: Sexual assault

    Islamia University Bahawalpur’s Chief Security Officer was apprehended by police on charges of drug possession and possession of objectionable material, including videos and pictures of the university’s female officials and students, reported Dawn.

    Baghdadul Jadid SHO said the police acted on intelligence-based information to apprehend the suspect.

    The arrest took place when the suspect’s car was stopped at a police checkpoint, and upon searching the vehicle, authorities found 10 grams of ice and aphrodisiacs. The individual was identified as Syed Ejaz Hussain Shah, Chief Security Officer at IUB.

    Police investigation revealed that his two mobile phones contained numerous objectionable videos and pictures of women, including those of officials from various departments of the university and female students. Shah admitted to using and selling drugs, as well as possessing the illicit material.

    Further investigation is underway. Police have been actively working to eradicate drug peddlers from educational institutions, said SHO.

  • You can now renew your passport online, no office visit needed

    You can now renew your passport online, no office visit needed

    Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has officially announced the introduction of an online passport renewal service. This new initiative is set to revolutionise the passport renewal process and address the longstanding grievances of citizens who previously faced challenges due to long queues and extensive waiting times at government offices.

    The announcement was communicated through the official Twitter account of Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, indicating the government’s commitment to streamlining administrative processes for the public. With the implementation of this hassle-free e-passport facility, citizens can now conveniently renew their passports from anywhere without the need to physically visit a government office.

    By embracing the online platform for passport renewal, the government aims to eliminate the tedious and time-consuming process of visiting passport offices, which has been a point of frustration for many applicants in the past. The introduction of the e-passport renewal facility marks a significant step towards enhancing public service efficiency and ensuring a smoother experience for citizens.

    Prior to this digital transformation, obtaining a renewed passport was a daunting task for citizens, as long lines stretching outside passport offices were a common sight. The inefficiencies inherent in the previous system often resulted in unnecessary delays and inconveniences for applicants. With the implementation of the new online renewal system, such challenges are poised to become a thing of the past.

    In conclusion, the introduction of the online passport renewal service represents a commendable effort by the government to embrace technological advancements and cater to the evolving needs of the public. By offering citizens the convenience of renewing their passports from the comfort of their homes, this initiative is a testament to the government’s commitment to enhancing citizen-centric services and streamlining bureaucratic processes.

  • Fawad Chaudhry apologises to ECP in contempt case

    Fawad Chaudhry apologises to ECP in contempt case

    Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry, now associated with the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), has rendered an apology to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in a contempt case filed against him, Geo News has reported.

    The case against Fawad Chaudhry was initiated last year in August, for using inappropriate language against the ECP and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.

    The ECP, a constitutional body, issued notices to Fawad Chaudhry and other members of the PTI, including Imran Khan and Asad Umar, for using foul language against the CEC and ECP.

    A four-member commission headed by the CEC heard the contempt case against Fawad Chaudhry and others on Thursday.

    Fawad Chaudhry appeared before the ECP and apologised to the commission. He further requested it to withdraw the show-cause notice issued to him.

    Fawad Chaudhry said that whatever he said at that time was the party’s narrative.

    “It was the party’s position that I described. I respect institutions, including the ECP,” the former information minister said.

    The ECP asked him to submit a written apology, adjourning the hearing till August 1.

  • FBR increases ‘green channel’ clearance to 66% for imports and exports

    In a significant advancement in trade facilitation, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to increase the clearance of imports and exports through the “green channel” facility from 35 per cent to 66 per cent.

    A meeting was convened at the FBR Headquarters on Thursday to assess the progress of the Pakistan Raises Revenue Program during the previous financial year.

    The meeting recognised the significant achievements made in the past four years under the Pakistan Raises Revenue Program, particularly in the areas of sustainable revenue mobilisation, taxpayer facilitation, and cost reduction for businesses. A major milestone was achieved through the harmonisation of Sales Tax laws and procedures among provinces and the federal government, benefiting taxpayers and all revenue authorities.

    Other notable achievements included reducing the cost of doing business by streamlining withholding lines from 58 to 33, elevating the share of imports and exports processed through the green channel from 35 per cent to 66 per cent, and expanding the tax base.

    Emphasising the importance of the next objective, the meeting highlighted the need to launch a Single Portal to facilitate Sales Tax Return filing. It was acknowledged that FBR’s commitment to transparency had led to the publication of detailed tax expenditure reports.

    Both parties agreed to sustain their focus on upgrading the IT infrastructure and automating FBR processes to ensure timely completion of project targets. Mr Asim Ahmad commended the dedication and contributions of both teams involved in the initiative.

    The meeting was attended by Najy Benhassine, Country Director of the World Bank, and Mr Asim Ahmad, Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue. Also present were members of the World Bank team, including Gailius Draugelis, Operations Manager; Tobias Haque, Lead Country Economist; Lucy Pan, Senior Economist; Irum Touqeer, Public Sector Specialist; and Shabih Ali Mohib, Manager. Additionally, Member Reforms of FBR, Ardesher Tariq, and other project team members participated in the discussion.

    The Country Director of the World Bank expressed appreciation for the progress made and regarded the harmonisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a flagship achievement of FBR. A mutual commitment to continued cooperation in pursuing the reform agenda under the project was reaffirmed by the FBR and World Bank.

  • Fahima Awan opens up after husband’s sudden death

    Fahima Awan opens up after husband’s sudden death

    Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult and painful in the world. This is one loss that can never be fulfilled. Actress Fahima Awan tragically went through this grief recently and it was a shock for her, her family as well as her fans.


    During an appearance on Nida Yasir’s show,Fahima Awan revealed that she has recently lost her husband. Fahima Awan is very young herself. She shared that she was in Makkah when she got a call that her husband had passed away, leaving her so shocked that she felt she couldn’t breathe. Moreover, she could not find a flight back to Pakistan.


    She shared that she believes it was Allah’s will that she was present in Haram Sharif at that time where Allah gave her the strength to move forward.


    Fahima also revealed that once her husband was kidnapped in the year 2012. It was a very tough time for her and she had to negotiate with the kidnappers. Her husband luckily came back then but she decided that she needs to become stronger and she joined the industry again to restart her career.


    Her husband got rheumatoid arthritis after that and then had a heart attack due to the trauma. The trauma of kidnapping led to depression

    May Allah bless the departed’s soul and may Fahima Awan have strength to negotiate this grief.

  • Govt adds new radio fee and increases TV charges in electricity bills

    Govt adds new radio fee and increases TV charges in electricity bills

    The government has recently made a decision to introduce additional charges for the public in their electricity bills. These charges will include a fee for both television and radio services. This resolution was reached during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, with Salim Mandviwala as the chair.

    Finance Ministry officials presented a briefing, outlining that the electricity bills will now include a fee of Rs50 for television and radio services combined. Specifically, Rs35 will be allocated for the Pakistan Television (PTV) fee, while Rs15 will be directed towards the radio fee. The Ministry of Information has prepared a summary in support of this initiative, and the funds collected from users will be utilised to cover the salaries of radio employees.

    The motivation behind this decision stems from the federal government’s efforts to address the financial crisis faced by Radio Pakistan. To support the struggling Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), commonly known as Radio Pakistan, additional charges will be imposed on electricity consumers. The Ministry of Information has proposed an extra Rs15 levy on consumers’ electricity bills, with Rs35 allocated to the state TV fee and the remaining Rs15 to assist Radio Pakistan.

    The Senate Standing Committee’s recommendation for this course of action was based on the urgent need to alleviate the financial difficulties experienced by current and retired PBC employees.

    This issue has been a longstanding challenge for over a decade. In fact, an earlier proposal in February sought a separate “radio fee” of Rs500 for all vehicles (excluding motorcycles) during their registration, with the intention of generating an annual additional revenue of Rs15 billion to support Radio Pakistan financially. The proposal was discussed during a sub-committee meeting led by Irfan Siddiqui from the ruling PML-N.