Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that 17 million of the nation’s electricity consumers would not be required to pay the excessive fuel cost adjustment (FCA) charges that are included in their monthly bills.
According to Express, the prime minister outlined the rationale behind the FCA and claimed that it had resulted in a substantial increase in power rates for July and August due to high international oil prices.
He claimed that following discussions with the IMF, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, and other coalition leaders, it was decided that 17.1 million energy users would not be required to pay the FCA.
The remaining 13 million power consumers who are in a better financial situation are also being reviewed by the government, according to PM Shehbaz.
Later, the PML-N tweeted that the relaxation will only apply to people with low electricity consumption.
Shehbaz stated that Power Minister Khurram Dastgir will give a thorough explanation of the announcement’s process and how it would actually operate.
The FCA exception would also apply to tube well users, who the prime minister estimated to number approximately 300,000.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz also abolished the budget’s fixed tax on traders.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry criticised the party’s own provincial governments in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for “disappointing party workers” and “not responding befittingly” to the attempted arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, May 25 crackdown, arrest and alleged torture of Shahbaz Gill and other political workers.
اپنی صوبائی حکومتوں پر واضع کر دوں لوگوں نے ووٹ صرف وزیر بننے کیلئے نہیں دئیے عمران خان کی گرفتاری کی کوشش ہو، 25 مئ کے واقعات ہوں یا شہباز گل اور سیاسی کارکنان کی گرفتاری اور ٹارچر آپ نے ورکروں کو مایوس کیا ہے اسلام آباد کی 25 کلومیٹر پر حکومت کرنے والے بدمعاش بنے بیٹھے ہیں
“Let me make it clear to our provincial governments that people did not vote for you so that you become ministers. Be it the attempt to arrest Imran Khan, the events of May 25 or the arrest and torture of Shahbaz Gill and [other] political workers, you have disappointed the workers. Those ruling Islamabad have become goons,” tweeted Fawad.
Turning his criticism to his own party, Fawad Chaudhry wondered why there has not been any response from the PTI’s provincial governments to the federal government’s “witch-hunt” of Imran Khan.
A new First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his other party members at the Abpara police station in Islamabad.
Asad Umar, Murad Saeed, Fawad Chaudhry, Faisal Javed Khan, Sheikh Rasheed and others have also been booked over violation of Section 144 and named in the FIR.
The FIR states that Khan along with his party leaders violated Section 144. It adds that the PTI leaders and their almost 1,000 supporters blocked the road at Imran Khan’s instructions. The FIR says that the party used loudspeakers as well.
Earlier, an FIR was filed against Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for “threatening” Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and senior police officers during his speech on August 20. However, he was granted transit bail till August 25.
On Monday (August 22), the Islamabad High Court (IHC)decided to initiate contempt proceedingsagainst Imran Khan for passing controversial remarks about Judge Zeba Chaudhry.
A day later, the IHC issued a show-cause notice to Imran Khan and summoned him on August 31 in contempt proceedings.
Pakistani cinema industry has witnessed a boom with back-to-back releases this year, especially on the two Eid festivals. Fortunately the stride of cinematic releases will continue for the coming months.
Here is the list of films, set to be released in near future:
Tich Button
The long delayed Tich Button that features an interesting ensemble cast finally has a release date, 28th October 2022. With Farhan Saeed, Feroze Khan, Sonya Hussyn, and Iman Ali as its stars, the film is set to be a commercial entertainer with romance sprinkled in. Directed by Qasim Ali Mureed, and produced by Urwa Hocane, it is being touted to be a mass entertainer.
Aasman Bolay Ga
The celebrated Shoaib Mansoor is determined to set the Pakistani industry ablaze with his next project, which, if whispers on the grapevine are to be believed, is going to hit cinemas in November 2022. With a patriotic undercurrent, the Emmad Irfani and Maya Ali starrer is going to revolve around the Pakistan Airforce, and their efficiency while striking back after India’s attack on Balakot.
Neelofar
Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan starrer Neelofar has been written by Ammar Rasool and produced by Qasim Mehmood. Though the details about the film are being kept tightly under wraps, audiences are looking forward to Neelofar because of Mahira and Fawad’s pairing. The project will be the actors’ next after Bilal Lashari’s The Legend of Maula Jatt. It also stars Madiha Imam in a key role. Mahira apparantly plays a blind woman in the film, which will also have sufi touches in its narratives.
Abhi
Abhi is headlined by Gohar Mumtaz and Kubra Khan. Full of thrills and romance, it also features Saleem Sheikh, Usman Peerzada, Yasra Rizvi, Mahmood Aslam, Hina Bayat, Ehteshamud Din and Asif Raza Mir. Written by Gohar Mumtaz, the film is directed by Asad Malik and produced by international UK based company Daniel Johnes. It’s first teaser garnered positive response as netizens appreciated the cinematography and the intrigue factor of the premise.
Money Back Guarantee
Money Back Guarantee is a comic-capper directed by Faisal Qureshi. The film stars Fawad Khan, Ayesha Omar, Hina Dilpazir, Ali Safina, Wasim Akram, Shayan Khan, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Gohar Rasheed, and Afzal Khan aka Jan Rambo. It will release in April 2023.
Other films that are set to release in Pakistan are the celebrated Joyland, that won big at Cannes, the previously censored Javed Iqbal with Yasir Hussain, and Sarmad Khoosat’s much-awaited Zindagi Tamasha. More upcoming releases include John, Gavah Rehna, Dhai Chaal and Once Upon A Time In Karachi.
Zarrar
Shaan Shahid’s larger-than-life comeback film’s trailer has already enthralled audiences. The film promises grand action sequences with double crosses and twists galore. The film also stars Nadeem Baig, Kiran Malik, and Nayyer Ejaz. While the release date is up in the air momentarily, rumor has it that it might have a fall release – tentatively 23rd September.
According to figures provided by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday, Pakistan’s current account deficit (CAD) decreased to $1.2 billion in July from $2.2 billion in June, reflecting a 45.45 per cent month-over-month decrease.
The SBP ascribed the dip to a significant reduction in energy imports and ongoing moderation in other imports.
“The narrower deficit is the result of wide-ranging measures taken in recent months to moderate growth and contain imports, including tight monetary policy, fiscal consolidation & some temporary administrative measures,” it said in a tweet.
1/2 The current account deficit shrank to $1.2bn in Jul from $2.2bn in Jun, largely reflecting a sharp decline in energy imports & a continued moderation in other imports. Visit #EasyDatahttps://t.co/kiWKKJLduDpic.twitter.com/Kt3Ev5BjMt
But the current account deficit widened by 42 per cent year over year. In July 2021, a deficit of $851 million was reported as opposed to a deficit of $1.1 billion this year, according to the online financial statistics and analytics portal Mettis Global.
The trade deficit in services, which is still negative, decreased by 62 per cent month over month as a result of a 40 per cent decline in imports and a 17 per cent decline in exports. According to the figures, the trade balance in services was $260 million in July as opposed to $682 million in June.
The Mettis Global study showed a 9 per cent reduction in the trade deficit year over year.
It also pointed out that worker remittances, which it referred to as the foundation of the economy, fell by 9 per cent from one month to the next, coming in at $2.52 billion in July as opposed to $2.76 billion in June.
Pakistan has strongly condemned the highly provocative and sacrilegious remarks against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) by another official of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Indian police had on Tuesday detained BJP leader T. Raja Singh, a lawmaker in the southern state of Telangana, on suspicion of “promoting enmity in the name of religion” after Muslim groups demanded his arrest for his comments about the Holy Prophet (PBUH), reports Dawn.
“Pakistan condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the highly provocative and sacrilegious remarks made against the Holy Prophet (PBUH), by Raja Singh, a BJP official and a member of the state legislative assembly of the Indian state of Telangana,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) read.
🔊: PR NO. 3️⃣9️⃣6️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣
Pakistan strongly condemns sacrilegious remarks against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) made by another official of the ruling BJP in India
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 24, 2022
“These highly derogatory remarks have gravely hurt the feelings of the people of Pakistan and billions of Muslims around the world.”
Pakistan demands the Indian government to take immediate and decisive action against the BJP members habitually involved in attacking Islam and targeting the dignity of beloved Prophet (PBUH),” the statement added.
“The fact is that India is nothing more than an undeclared ‘Hindu Rashtra’ where Muslims are routinely denigrated, dispossessed and marginalised and their religious beliefs are trampled under majoritarian hegemonism.”
The FO also called out the “deafening silence” of the top BJP leadership on the abhorrent incident, saying it manifestly reflected their approval and complete support to the radical Hindu zealots within and beyond the BJP.
In June, BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal, also passed derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The Sindh government has announced the closure of schools and colleges for two days — August 24 and 25 — due to heavy rain forecast.
Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah announced that due to heavy rains, the government has declared a two-day holiday for schools and colleges in the province. Karachi Board of Intermediate has also postponed all exams scheduled for August 24 and 25. In addition, Deputy Commissioners in Badin and Sukkur districts have issued notifications to keep educational institutes shut for four days till August 27.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) released an advisory yesterday forecasting more rains in the country during the week. The PMD has warned that heavy rains may generate urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Jam, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Naushahro Feroz, Larkana, Jacobabad and Sukkur on August 24 and 25.
The Punjab police on Tuesday introduced two cutting-edge services labelled Punjab Police WhatsApp Services and Online Complaint Management System that are meant to bring police assistance to citizens’ doorsteps as a significant step toward reform.
According to Dawn, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Faisal Shahkar said the future of police service is linked with IT-based policing, which is why Punjab police expanding the scope of IT-related initiatives so that the citizens can benefit from police services at their doorstep.
According to IGP, the Punjab police will utilize these services to deliver police assistance to citizens’ homes rather than police stations or offices. This allows citizens to easily file complaints as well as obtain other information, such as a driving license or a registration for a First Information Report, with just a single click.
He claimed that any citizen, particularly those who are Pakistanis living abroad, can simply file a complaint by using the Punjab police’s WhatsApp number, 0331-7871787, without having to go to a police station.
The overseas Pakistanis will be able to access information and services using these contemporary services from any location, and more capabilities will be introduced to both the software in the future based on citizen feedback.
In order to give citizens access to all policing-related facilities in a single app, the Police Department is combining all of its IT-related initiatives into one cutting-edge app along the lines of global corporations.
He claimed that the complaint management system was also made available online for the benefit of the populace, allowing users to not only file complaints but also obtain an E-tag number.
A few of the services provided are the following:
Crime Report, IG Punjab Complaint Cell, Police Service Center Facilities, Helpline Numbers, Gender Harassment Report, Police Offices, Facilities for Overseas Pakistanis, Social Media, Punjab Police Website, Zainab Alert, Most Wanted Criminals, Citizen Portal, details of domestic workers criminal record verification, feedback and suggestions, etc.
The CPO and the district-level officers will both keep an eye on the citizen complaints, and officials who purposefully delayed taking necessary action will face consequences.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on August 19 that she had taken a drug test following the publication of video footage that showed her partying with friends, and vowed she had never used illegal drugs.
Video clips of Marin partying with well-known Finnish influencers and artists began circulating on social media, leading to severe criticism.
Finland’s Prime Minister @MarinSanna is in the headlines after a video of her partying was leaked today.
She has previously been criticized for attending too many music festivals & spending too much on partying instead of ruling.
“These videos are private and filmed in a private space. I resent that these became known to the public,” Marin told the media. She said she did not know who leaked them.
“In recent days, there have been quite grave public accusations that I was in a space where drugs were used, or that I myself used drugs,” Marin told a news conference.
“I consider these accusations to be very serious and, though I consider the demand for a drug test unjust, for my own legal protection and to clear up any doubts, I have taken a drug test today, the results of which will come in about a week.”
However, Marin tested negative after a drug test she took following the publication of video footage that showed her partying with friends.
