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  • PSX hits record high after ADB greenlights $800 million package for Pakistan

    PSX hits record high after ADB greenlights $800 million package for Pakistan

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) rallied, with the benchmark KSE-100 index surpassing its previous record high and setting a new one. Reports reveal that the bullish trend can be attributed to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approving a financial package for Pakistan.

    ADB cleared a $800 million policy-based loan and guarantee package to help Pakistan improve its public finances and push long-overdue economic reforms. According to reports, the approval came under the second phase of the “Improved Resource Mobilisation and Utilisation Reform Programme”, which focuses on rectifying how the federal government collects and spends money.

    Reports reveal that Pakistan is set to receive a $300 million policy-based loan, which will be utilised to support reform efforts. Moreover, the ADB is offering a $500 million policy-based guarantee, which is the first of its kind by the Manila-based lender. 

    These developments led to a surge in investor confidence, causing the KSE-100 index to cross 121,500 points during intraday trading. Bullish sentiments allowed the index to open in the green in the early hours of the day, with the upwards momentum continuing until closing hours.

    The KSE-100 index reached an intraday high of 121,882.47 points. The index peaked at 3:01 PM, after which the market closed at a lower, yet respectable, 121,798.86 points.

    For reference, the KSE-100 closed at 120,450.87 points on Tuesday, after which the index recorded a growth of 1.12 percent during trading hours on Wednesday, leading to a 1,347.99 point rise. The market displayed a slowdown around 9:34 AM as the KSE-100 hit its intraday trading low of 120,896.13 points.

    All 17 indexes listed on the exchange remained in the green with the All-share index (ALLSHR) growing by 1.07 percent, which translates into a 801.91 point rise in the index. Unlike the KSE-100, which tracks the performance of the 100 largest and most liquid companies, the ALLSHR index records the performance of all publicly listed companies on the PSX.

    A number of companies witnessed a rise in share prices, with Invest Capital Investment Bank Limited (ICIBL) and First Credit and Investment Bank Limited (FCIBL) winning big, to the tune of growth rates that sat at 42.55 percent (ICIBL) and 13.68 percent (FCIBL). 

    However, not every publicly listed stock witnessed an improvement as many companies witnessed sharp declines. Of these declining companies, the one that fared the worst during intra-day trading was ICC Industries Limited (ICCI), which posted a 10.00 percent decline in its position.

    Recent reports have suggested that the KSE-100 index could cross 165,000 points by December 2025, owing to a drop in interest rates and an improved state of the wider economy. These factors are responsible for creating a business-friendly environment, lending weight to analysts’ claims.

  • EcoStar: Redefining cooling for Pakistan’s climate

    EcoStar: Redefining cooling for Pakistan’s climate

    In the consumer electronics and home appliances industry of Pakistan, DWP Group stands out as a name synonymous with innovation, quality, and customer trust. It has a strong legacy in delivering world-class technology. DWP Group has continued to raise the bar through EcoStar. The brand has rapidly gained recognition for its high-performance, energy-efficient air conditioners tailored for the Pakistani climate.

    Among EcoStar’s most outstanding achievements, it has made a commitment for advanced cooling technology that goes beyond the ordinary. Summers in Pakistan are growing increasingly intense and so EcoStar has responded with powerful, durable solutions, none more impressive than its Genuine T3 air conditioners.

    What is Genuine T3? Why is it important?

    Genuine T3 refers to Tropical Climate Compressor Technology. It is an advanced compressor system specifically engineered to deliver consistent cooling even in ambient temperatures exceeding 50°C. While a conventional air conditioner may struggle to deliver consistent cooling in high temperatures, a Genuine T3 AC ensures stable performance even in extreme heat.

    Genuine T3 technology features larger indoor and outdoor units, a genuine T3 compressor, and a large condenser. This advanced design enables faster heat dissipation, lowers thermal stress, and ensures stable performance even during prolonged use. Built for durability, it’s engineered to withstand the most extreme weather conditions Pakistan has to offer.

    Introducing the EcoStar Prince Series

    EcoStar has recently introduced its Prince Series, a premium lineup of air conditioners developed to offer robust performance with intelligent cooling. The EcoStar Prince Series is equipped with Genuine T3 technology along with other advanced features that makes it stand out when it comes to functionality and user convenience:

    It’s A Genuine T3!

    With its larger indoor and outdoor units, extra-large double-layered condenser, and a genuine T3 compressor, the EcoStar Prince AC delivers powerful, stable cooling even in ambient temperatures of 50°C and beyond, making it the perfect choice for Pakistan’s extreme summer conditions!

    4D Airflow Technology

    EcoStar Prince ACs feature 4D Airflow, which ensures uniform air distribution across every corner of your room. This intelligent multi-directional airflow system guarantees a more immersive and comfortable cooling experience, without uneven temperature.

    5th Generation Auto Washing Technology

    Maintaining a clean air conditioner is essential for its long-term performance. The Prince Series introduces 5th Generation Auto Washing Technology which allows the unit to self-clean automatically, removing dust and bacteria from the evaporator coil, promoting healthier air quality and extending unit’s life.

     

    Power Limit Feature

    The EcoStar Prince AC’s Power Limit feature allows users to cap energy consumption during peak load hours, helping manage electricity bills without compromising on comfort, making it the perfect solution for energy-conscious cooling this summer!

    High SEER Rating Up to 15.18

    The Prince series has a higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 15.18. It reflects excellent cooling efficiency, offering significant energy savings across extended use.

    Precise AI Temperature Control

    The EcoStar Prince has advanced AI-based sensors and temperature algorithms. It adjusts cooling output based on room temperature and humidity. This means optimized performance, enhanced comfort, and smart energy savings with every use.

    Eco-Friendly R-32 Refrigerant

    The EcoStar Prince Series uses R-32 refrigerant, an eco-friendly alternative to older refrigerants. With a global warming potential close to zero, R-32 enhances energy efficiency, supports faster cooling performance, and significantly reduces the overall carbon footprint, making it a smarter, greener choice for your home.

    Why Choose EcoStar Prince T3 AC?

    The combination of DWP Group’s industry expertise and EcoStar’s innovative engineering with the unmatched resilience of Genuine T3 technology, makes the EcoStar Prince Series the ideal solution for Pakistan’s brutal summers. From the the double-layered condenser to smart features like 4D airflow and auto washing, it is built to deliver uninterrupted, powerful, and energy-efficient cooling, even if temperatures reach extreme levels.

    If you are looking to upgrade your home or preparing for the upcoming heatwave, the EcoStar Prince Air Conditioner with Genuine T3 technology is a smart, future-proof investment.

  • ‘Will be remembered in history forever’ Internet reacts to Bilawal calling Modi ‘Temu version’ of Netanyahu

    ‘Will be remembered in history forever’ Internet reacts to Bilawal calling Modi ‘Temu version’ of Netanyahu

    Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari calling the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the “Temu version” of the genocidal Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has left the internet divided but garnered more praise than criticism.

    “Mr. Modi is sort of the Temu version of Netanyahu… A poor copy,” Bilawal said while addressing a press conference at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

    “Mr. Modi started off as being perceived as the butcher of Gujarat. When done, he went on to become the butcher of Kashmir; now he aspires to be the butcher of the Indus Valley civilisation,” Bilawal remarked.

    Chairman PPP, along with former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Khurram Dastgir, Senators Sherry Rehman, Musadik Malik, Faisal Sabzwari, Bushra Anjum Butt, as well as diplomats Jalil Abbas Jilani and Tehmina Janjua, are part of the Pakistani delegation tasked with addressing the global community about Pakistan’s Point of View in response to India’s delegation on Operation Sindoor.

    It is not the first time that the Chairman of the PPP has belittled the Indian PM. In 2022, when he was the Foreign Minister, he had said in a press conference in New York that Al Qaeda leader “Osama Bin Laden is dead; however, the butcher of Gujarat is alive, and he is the Prime Minister of India.”

    Internet users took no time to react to the statement. While some praised Bilawal for not mincing his words against the hypernationalist Indian PM, others maintained that analogy disparaged the ShopTemu.

    A social media user said that Bilawal’s statement “will be remembered in history forever.” Another user sarcastically wrote, “The team ‘Temu’ has expressed its displeasure at being associated with Prime Minister Modi.”

    The third user said, “Bilawal Bhutto has just nailed it.”

    “This boy is astonishing everyone with his remarkable ability to express himself. Along with reasoning, logic, history, and laws, he also brings a touch of humor. Believe me, in the coming years, he will be loved in Pakistan and around the world,” wrote another user.

    One of the users wrote, “I truly appreciate this. Looking at the current cabinet, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari genuinely was the most sensible choice to present Pakistan’s case.”

    “I take strong exception to this insult to Temu by Bilawal. We should avoid such unfair comparison,” said another netizen.

    Meanwhile, former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Bilawal Bhutto in a media talk has rightly critiqued Modi and compared him with Netanyahu. Unfortunately, the analogy he used was disparaging for @shoptemu. He should know that Temu is not a poor copy.

    “Even in the USA, it has been the app with the fastest growing user base, and its global user base is now within 10% of Amazon and set to overtake it. This western narrative of Chinese being poor copies is dated and Pakistani’s should know this better than anyone else after the dominance of chinese technology in the post pehelgam conflict with India (sic).”

  • ‘Enough is enough’: Aymen Saleem slams drama for ‘rope scene’ romanticising abuse

    ‘Enough is enough’: Aymen Saleem slams drama for ‘rope scene’ romanticising abuse

    Actress Aymen Saleem has spoken out against the troubling portrayal of abuse in a recent drama, calling it out for romanticising harmful behaviour in the name of storytelling.

    Taking to Instagram, Aymen posted a strong statement criticising the way a female character was shown tied up with ropes by her husband a scene that was framed with romantic music and gestures. Without naming the drama, she expressed her deep concern over how such content is being normalised.

    In a powerful Instagram story, she said, “Enough is enough. I’m deeply disturbed by the way a recent drama is portraying abuse  tying up a woman with ropes, showing it in romantic or bold light, and then normalising it as part of a love story.”

    She criticised how such scenes are being packaged as entertainment and said this trend is harmful, not harmless fiction. “This isn’t entertainment. It’s dangerous storytelling,” she added.

    Aymen pointed out that women in Pakistan already face many struggles within marriage including patriarchy, emotional and physical abuse, and societal pressure. In such a reality, media has a major responsibility.

    She wrote that dramas should promote relief, strength, and progress not show harmful acts as expressions of love. “We’ve made strides in showcasing strong, self-aware female leads and breaking generational curses. Why are we slipping back?” she asked.

    Calling for change, she urged writers, producers, channels, and especially actors to be mindful about the stories they support and choose.

    “This is not just fiction – this shapes culture,” Aymen warned.


    She ended by reminding everyone that scenes like these do not reflect love they only make abuse look normal.

    Aymen’s statement has sparked conversations across social media, with many supporting her stance and calling for more responsible storytelling in Pakistani television.

  • Spain cancels purchase of Israeli anti-tank missiles: reports

    Spain cancels purchase of Israeli anti-tank missiles: reports

    Spain, which has strongly criticised Israel’s offensive in Gaza, has cancelled a contract to buy 168 firing posts and 1,680 anti-tank missiles from Israeli defence company Rafael, Spanish media reported Wednesday.

    The deal was worth 287.5 million euros ($327 million), according to top-selling daily Spanish newspaper El País, which cited unnamed government sources.

    The equipment was to be manufactured in Spain under licence from Rafael.

    Spanish defence ministry sources told AFP that the government “has begun a process to revoke licences of Israeli origin” and was working to redirect its procurement programmes “with the goal of achieving greater technological independence and autonomy”.

    Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s criticisms of the offensive in Gaza infuriated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government last year by recognising a Palestinian state.

    In late April, Spain cancelled a contract to buy bullets from another Israeli company, IMI Systems, following pressure from the Socialist-led government’s far-left coalition partner Sumar — a move swiftly condemned by Israel.

    Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz, the founder of Sumar, said at the time that Spain could not engage in “business with a genocidal government… that is massacring the Palestinian people”.

    Sanchez’s government said it halted weapons transactions with Israel after the start of the war following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

    But according to Centre Delas, a Barcelona-based think tank specialising in security and defence, the government has granted 46 contracts worth more than 1 billion euros to Israeli companies based on data published on a public tenders platform.

  • Gaza aid sites shut, as Israel issues ‘combat zones’ warning

    Gaza aid sites shut, as Israel issues ‘combat zones’ warning

    A US and Israeli-backed group operating aid sites in the Gaza Strip announced the temporary closure of the facilities on Wednesday, with the Israeli army warning that roads leading to distribution centres were “considered combat zones”.

    The announcement by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) follows a string of deadly incidents near the distribution sites it operates that have sparked condemnation from the United Nations.

    Israeli bombardment on Wednesday killed at least 16 people in the Gaza Strip, including 12 in a single strike on a tent housing displaced people, the Palestinian territory’s civil defence agency told AFP.

    On Tuesday, 27 people were killed in southern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire near a GHF aid site, with the military saying the incident was under investigation.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the deaths of people seeking food aid as “unacceptable”, and the world body’s rights chief condemned attacks on civilians as “a war crime” following a similar incident near the same site on Sunday.

    Israel recently eased its blockade of Gaza, but the UN says the territory’s entire population remains at risk of famine.

    – UN vote –

    The GHF said its “distribution centres will be closed for renovation, reorganisation and efficiency improvement work” on Wednesday and would resume operations on Thursday.

    The Israeli army, which confirmed the temporary closure, warned against travelling “on roads leading to the distribution centres, which are considered combat zones”.

    The GHF, officially a private effort with opaque funding, began operations a week ago but the UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with it over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.

    Israeli authorities and the GHF, which uses contracted US security, have denied allegations that the Israeli army shot at civilians rushing to pick up aid packages.

    Food shortages in Gaza have propelled fresh international calls for an end to the war, but a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas remains elusive.

    The UN Security Council will vote Wednesday on a resolution calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian access to Gaza, a measure expected to be vetoed by key Israel backer the United States.

    – ‘A trap’ –

    At a hospital in southern Gaza, the family of Reem al-Akhras, who was killed in Tuesday’s shooting near GHF’s facility, were beside themselves with grief.

    “She went to bring us some food, and this is what happened to her,” her son Zain Zidan said, his face streaked with tears.

    Akhras’s husband, Mohamed Zidan, said “every day unarmed people” were being killed.

    “This is not humanitarian aid — it’s a trap.”

    The Israeli military maintains that its forces do not prevent Gazans from collecting aid.

    Army spokesperson Effie Defrin said the Israeli soldiers had fired towards suspects who “were approaching in a way that endangered” the troops, adding that the “incident is being investigated”.

    UN human rights chief Volker Turk called attacks against civilians “unconscionable” and said they “constitute a grave breach of international law and a war crime”.

    The International Committee of the Red Cross meanwhile said “Gazans face an “unprecedented scale and frequency of recent mass casualty incidents”.

    – Activists’ boat –

    Scenes of hunger in Gaza have also sparked fresh solidarity with Palestinians, and a boat organised by an international activist coalition was sailing toward Gaza, aiming to deliver aid.

    The boat from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition departed Sicily Sunday carrying a dozen people, including environmental activist Greta Thunberg, along with fruit juices, milk, tinned food and protein bars.

    “Together, we can open a people’s sea corridor to Gaza,” the coalition said.

    But Israel’s military said Tuesday it was ready to “protect” the country’s maritime space.

    When asked about the Freedom Flotilla vessel, army spokesman Defrin said “for this case as well, we are prepared”, declining to go into detail.

    Israel has stepped up its offensive in Gaza in what it says is a renewed push to defeat the Palestinian group Hamas, whose October 2023 attack sparked the war.

    The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said at least 4,240 people have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, taking the war’s overall toll to 54,510, mostly civilians.

    Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

    The army said three of its soldiers had been killed in northern Gaza, bringing the number of Israeli troops killed in the territory since the start of the war to 424.

  • AI company exposed for using 700 Indian engineers instead of real artificial intelligence

    AI company exposed for using 700 Indian engineers instead of real artificial intelligence

    An AI company has been exposed for faking its technology by secretly employing over 700 Indian engineers instead of using actual artificial intelligence. Builder.ai had claimed to use AI to build apps through its virtual assistant, Natasha, and to design, code, and deliver apps in record time using cutting-edge AI.

    The London-based startup gained major attention after Microsoft reportedly invested $455 million, pushing its valuation to a massive $1.5 billion. However, recent reports have revealed that the supposed “neural network” was just a team of human workers doing the job behind the scenes.

    According to Binance, the majority of the work was handled manually by engineers, with only basic software tools being used for clerical tasks. The scam continued for eight years before being exposed in May 2025. Builder.ai soon declared bankruptcy and announced on LinkedIn that it would be “entering into insolvency proceedings.”

    The company wrote, “Despite the tireless efforts of our current team and exploring every possible option, the business has been unable to recover from historic challenges and past decisions that placed significant strain on its financial position.”

    Bloomberg reported that Builder.ai had also partnered with Indian social media startup VerSe to fake its sales numbers. Between 2021 and 2024, both companies billed each other large amounts, even though no real services were provided.

    VerSe strongly denied the accusations. Co-founder Umang Bedi told Bloomberg, “We’re not the kind of company that is in the business of inflating revenues,” calling the claims “baseless and false.”

    As the story went viral on social media, another company, Builder.io, got caught in the drama due to a similar name. Builder.io, which also works with AI-powered app development, had to clarify online that they have no connection to the now-bankrupt Builder.ai, and their hilarious response is getting a lot of attention online.

  • Mahira Khan, Khalil ur Rehman Qamar finally reconcile after years of tension

    Mahira Khan, Khalil ur Rehman Qamar finally reconcile after years of tension

    Star actress Mahira Khan and controversial writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar have expressed mutual respect in recent podcast interviews, after years of strained relations.

    In his recent appearance on The Blue Truth Digital podcast, Khalil ur Rehman Qamar called Mahira his “favourite actress,” while revealing that their differences have officially ended.

    “Mahira was, and still is, my favourite actress. That’s why I was upset by her words,” he shared.

    “Recently, Mahira said that if she had a problem with me, she should have called and talked to me. When I heard this, I was very sad, because I respected her a lot and she did the same for me,” he said.

    He added that if she had directly confronted him, he would have responded with warmth and explanation instead of resentment.

    “Even if she had called and scolded me, I would have lovingly told her what the real purpose behind my words was,” he explained.

    “When I came to know that Mahira regretted her tweet, I sent her a message that all my quarrels with you are over,” he added.

    The feud began in 2020 when Qamar used derogatory language against activist Marvi Sirmed on national television. Mahira publicly condemned his behaviour in a post on X (formerly Twitter), which led to a cold war between the two.

    However, on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast in May, Mahira acknowledged that she should have handled the matter privately.

    “We were never close friends, but our joint project Sadqay Tumhare was a journey we completed with love and sincerity,” she said.

    “Yes, I was wrong. I should have messaged him directly instead of tweeting about it. He is absolutely right.”

    Mahira shared that she had been filming Neelofar when she saw news of Qamar’s TV appearance. Reacting emotionally and without checking the full context, she posted a tweet that later spiralled into controversy.

    “I just wanted to raise my voice against injustice,” she explained.

    Now, with both sides expressing regret and respect, the air between them seems to have cleared.

    During the same podcast, Khalil ur Rehman Qamar also reflected on his values and career journey, “I find people who lie to be bad, and also those who differentiate between the rich and the poor. The real poor to me are those with limited means or who earn unlawfully,” he said.

    He shared that he began writing at the age of thirteen and faced resistance from his father, who wanted him to pursue a traditional career.

    “I didn’t want to write, but I was born a writer. My father beat me many times because he wanted me to become an officer through studying,” he recalled.

    He also defended his controversial line “Do Takke Ki Aurat” from the hit drama ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’: “People criticised it without reason. That dialogue was written for one specific character, not for all women.”

    “The actual line was: ‘You were giving me Rs 50 million for this Do Takke Ki Aurat,’ and it was meant only for that particular girl,” Qamar said.

  • Eight men gang-rape woman in front of husband, remain at large

    Eight men gang-rape woman in front of husband, remain at large

    A horrific case of gang rape has been reported in the Mangat Uncha area of Hafizabad where a woman was sexually assaulted by at least eight armed men in front of her husband. The act was recorded on video and later leaked on social media, which led to police action weeks after the incident took place.

    According to reports, the incident took place on April 25 when the couple had stopped stop by a rest area while travelling from Nowshera Virkan. The couple was on a motorcycle when a man approached, verbally abused and hit the wife. Soon after, a group of armed men arrived and took the couple to a secluded place near a graveyard, revealed a first information report (FIR) filed by the husband at Kasoki Police Station on Tuesday.

    The FIR said that the suspects tied up the husband, forced him to lie on the ground and then gang-raped the woman despite his repeated pleas for them to stop. The couple was also subjected to physical violence and robbery with the suspects stealing two mobile phones, two tolas of gold and Rs 2,500 in cash.

    The suspects then forced the couple to have sexual intercourse at gunpoint, recording it as well, the FIR added.

    The victims delayed reporting the crime due to threats from the suspects who warned them that they would be killed if they sought legal action or medical examination. The suspects later uploaded the videos online, finally leading to police intervention.

    An FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), including rioting with deadly weapons, unlawful assembly, assault with intent to outrage modesty, kidnapping, rape, theft, enticing away a woman and criminal intimidation, police said, adding that the husband has named four of the eight suspects and demanded their immediate arrest and punishment.

    Video footage is being used to identify the suspects, and raids are ongoing. The couple has undergone medical examinations and further probe is underway.

  • Mohammad Haris jumps 210 spots in latest ICC T20I rankings

    Mohammad Haris jumps 210 spots in latest ICC T20I rankings

    Mohammad Haris stole the spotlight after an incredible performance in Pakistan’s 3-0 T20I series win over Bangladesh. He jumped a massive 210 places to reach No.30 in the ICC Men’s T20I Batter Rankings after a stunning century in the final match.

    Haris was named Player of the Series after scoring an unbeaten 107 off just 46 balls in the third T20I. He had already played solid knocks of 41 and 31 in the first two matches, finishing as the series’ top scorer with 167 runs at a blazing strike rate of 201.12.

    Hasan Nawaz also delivered a strong performance in the series, scoring 121 runs at a strike rate of 198.36. He climbed 57 spots to reach a career-best joint 45th position in the T20I batting rankings.

    On the bowling side, Abbas Afridi impressed with figures of 2 for 26 in the final match. This effort moved him up 18 places to No.19 in the ICC T20I Bowlers Rankings, where he now shares the spot with Anrich Nortje and Haris Rauf.

    All-rounder Shadab Khan also had a good series, scoring 55 runs and taking four wickets. His contributions earned him a jump of 10 places to reach No.14 in the ICC T20I All-rounder Rankings.