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  • Local gold rates record decline as global prices drop amid easing US-EU tensions

    Local gold rates record decline as global prices drop amid easing US-EU tensions

    Gold prices in Pakistan fell sharply on Monday, echoing a slowdown in the international bullion market. In the local market, rates dropped by Rs2,600 per tola, settling at Rs351,500, while the price of 10 grams also declined by Rs2,228, closing at Rs301,354.

    This drop comes just after gold had reportedly jumped by Rs3,100 per tola on Saturday, hitting a peak of Rs354,100. Gold prices in the international market also took a hit, with prices slipping by $26 per troy ounce to $3,331, according to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).

    A Director of a reputable commodities institute outlined how market activity was almost non-existent due to a US bank holiday. According to the director, the market was largely subdued, experiencing a high of $3,356 while touching a low of $3,323. Rates hovered around $3,335, witnessing nominal fluctuations.

    As per reports, one of the key reasons for the dip was easing trade tensions between the United States (US) and the European Union (EU). After warning of a 50 percent tariff starting June 1, Donald Trump reportedly agreed over the weekend to delay the decision after talks with the EU. A new deadline has now been set for July 9 to finalise the deal, which pulled some pressure off global markets and dampened demand for gold.

    Historically, gold has been perceived by many as a safe-haven asset as it is a great source of value, especially in times of uncertainty. However, with trade tensions decreasing, many are pulling out the funds that they had previously parked into gold as US-EU trade tensions decrease.

    For Pakistan, the drop in gold prices could be a good sign as it will allow domestic buyers to purchase the commodity. This is because gold will become more affordable for local buyers allowing people to purchase the yellow metal for the upcoming wedding season.

    In other developments, the Pakistani rupee saw a small decline against the US dollar. Data from the State Bank of Pakistan indicates that it closed at 282.06 in the interbank market, slipping by Rs0.09 or 0.03 percent. On a calendar year-to-date basis, the rupee has weakened by 1.24 percent, and by 1.32 percent for the fiscal year so far.

    Reports have revealed the performance of other major currencies too, highlighting how the euro and the US dollar gained ground globally against traditional safe-haven currencies like the yen and Swiss franc. This move came after Trump’s tariff retreat, which calmed investor nerves and shifted money away from gold and into riskier assets.

  • Auto industry calls for clear import duty policy ahead of upcoming budget

    Auto industry calls for clear import duty policy ahead of upcoming budget

    Automobile assemblers and spare part manufacturers alike have requested the federal government to provide clear policy guidelines regarding the reduction of import duties. According to reports, assemblers want the government to disclose this information to them prior to the announcement of the federal budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26.

    Stakeholders in the domestic automotive sector met with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Haroon Akhtar Khan, to seek the government’s stance on upcoming policy changes. As per reports, the aforementioned stakeholders included representatives from the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) and the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM).

    While a reduction in duties could help increase competition in the domestic market, authorities linked to the Ministry of Industries and Production and the Engineering Development Board (EDB) outlined how it could lead to a shift of focus away from domestic manufacturing in favour of imported cars.

    Higher automotive imports could also result in a significant leakage of foreign reserves. The mechanism behind this is the State Bank of Pakistan’s managed float regime, which requires foreign exchange interventions to ensure the rupee does not depreciate significantly.

    Domestic consumers would stand to benefit from such policies; however, the increase in competition could lead to a drop in car prices. Moreover, easing imports could also increase the array of choices available to those looking to purchase a vehicle.

    The federal government intends to implement the National Tariff Policy (NTP) for 2025-30 from July 1. Reports indicate that the meeting between manufacturers and state officials falls under the umbrella of the NTP. 

    The NTP aims to reduce regulatory duties while also abolishing additional customs duties in phases. This policy measure intends to simplify customs processes while also cutting down barriers to free trade.

    Reports suggest that domestic automotive manufacturers seek duties on imported vehicles as the high cost of raw materials and electricity make it virtually impossible to compete, on price, with players such as China, Indonesia, India, Thailand and Vietnam.  

    As per Paapam, operating domestic manufacturing units was not viable given the aforementioned challenges. Reports reveal that by 2030, import duties on industrial and auto machinery are expected to fall to around 15 percent, which has raised concerns in the auto sector. 

    CBUs (completely built imported vehicles) currently face high taxes ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent. Similarly, local auto part manufacturers are protected by an 18 percent duty on imported CKD (completely knocked down) kits. 

    During the meeting, Paapam reportedly cautioned the government, outlining how if CBUs are imported at just 15 percent duty, auto parts may also be imported at extremely low rates of around zero to 10 percent. This could detrimentally impact local manufacturers who rely on protective tariffs to stay competitive.

  • Miss England quits Miss World in India over ‘harassment, disrespect’

    Miss England quits Miss World in India over ‘harassment, disrespect’

    Days before the final event, 2024’s Miss England has shocked fans by walking out of the Miss World competition in India, alleging harassment and disrespect by the organisers.

    As per the details, Milla Magee, 24, was supposed to represent her country at the 72nd Miss World pageant in Hyderabad, on May 31. However, less than a week before the final, she has quit the competition and flew back home.

    “I went there to make a difference, but we had to sit like performing monkeys,” she told a UK newspaper. Magee, who works as a lifeguard and is from Newquay, Cornwall, said the event was “stuck in the past” and not what she expected.

    “As far as I could see, it hasn’t changed and is stuck in the past. Morally, I couldn’t be a part of it,” she said, adding that all crowns and sashes meant nothing as compared to using your voice and making a difference in the world.

    She also shared that the contestants were forced to wear makeup and ball gowns all day, even at breakfast. “But the final straw came when we were told to sit with middle-aged men as a thank you for sponsoring the event.”

    “There were two girls to each table of six guests. We were expected to sit with them for the whole evening and entertain them as a thank you,” she said.

    “I found that unbelievable. I remember thinking, ‘This is so wrong. I didn’t come here to be farmed out for people’s entertainment’.”

    Magee added that she tried to talk about her social causes, but the men didn’t care.

    “At one point, I tried to talk about the causes I was supporting, but it was obvious the men at the table were not interested,” she recalled.


    “Instead, there was weird small talk that left me feeling uncomfortable.”

    “I went out to make a difference, to help create a different future, perhaps inspire young people. Never in a million years did I expect to find myself in that situation,” she said and also criticised a female organizer for her rude behaviour.

    “She clapped her hands right in my face to get my attention and as a signal for people to listen to her,” Magee said.

    “It was so disrespectful, like she was addressing children rather than a coach full of adult women.”

    “It was a small incident, but it showed what they really thought of us and how little respect we were being treated with,” she said.

    With Magee withdrawing from the pageant, Miss England runner-up Charlotte Grant, 25, from Liverpool, will take her place at the final with 108 contestants from around the world.

    The current titleholder, Krystyna Pyszková from the Czech Republic, will crown the new Miss World at the HITEX Exhibition Centre.

  • Man throws grenade at ex-girlfriend’s house, accidentally kills himself

    Man throws grenade at ex-girlfriend’s house, accidentally kills himself

    A man lost his life while attempting to harm his ex-girlfriend after she refused to reconcile on May 25 in Surat Thani province, Thailand.

    According to local media reports, the man went to his ex-girlfriend’s house and tried to convince her to patch things up. When she refused, he threw an M26 grenade towards her home.

    The grenade did not explode at first, but when he attempted to throw it a second time, it blew up in his hand, killing him on the spot.

    Three elderly relatives of the woman were injured in the explosion, while the ex-girlfriend remained unharmed, having run inside the house moments before the blast.

    Police later arrived at the scene and found 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ‘ice’, in the man’s car, which was also damaged in the explosion.

    Officials confirmed that the man had a criminal record and had previously served five months in jail for drug-related offences in 2020.

  • Youm-e-Takbeer: Public holiday declared on May 28

    Youm-e-Takbeer: Public holiday declared on May 28

    The federal government has announced a public holiday to observe Youm-e-Takbeer on Wednesday, May 28.

    The day commemorates the success of the Chagai-I and Chagai-II series of nuclear tests, which made Pakistan the seventh country in the world to possess nuclear weapons.

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) will also observe Youm-e-Takbeer as a holiday.

    While schools are officially closed for summer vacations, a notification issued by the School Education Department states that Youm-e-Takbeer will still be celebrated in schools, with special programmes to be organised during morning assemblies.

    Schools in Punjab have been instructed to hold debate competitions, national song contests, and art activities, as well as pay tribute to the Pakistan Army, accompanied by the national anthem and prayers.

    Top winners at the district level will be awarded a prize of Rs. 50,000. Summer vacations will also be formally announced at the conclusion of the ceremonies in schools.

    Similarly, the Sindh government has also announced a holiday, with all provincial offices, including local councils and other government departments, to remain closed.

  • Khamenei wants Pak-Iran alliance for ending Israeli crimes in Gaza

    Khamenei wants Pak-Iran alliance for ending Israeli crimes in Gaza

    Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to emphasise the Pakistan-Iran alliance for an end to Israeli crimes in Gaza.

    Following the meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, a series of tweets was made from Iran’s supreme leader’s official X handle. 

    In one of his tweets, he wrote, “Effective, joint efforts by Iran and Pakistan are necessary to stop the Zionist regime’s crimes in Gaza.”

    In another tweet, calling Pakistan’s stance regarding the issue of Palestine “commendable”, Khamenei wrote, “While there have always been inducements for Islamic countries to establish ties with the Zionist regime, Pakistan has never been influenced by those inducements.”

    One of his tweets reads, “At a time when the warmongers in the world have numerous motives for creating conflicts and wars, the only way to ensure the security of the Islamic Ummah is the unity of Muslim nations.”

    He underscored that the Palestinian issue is the most important issue in the “Islamic world”.

    The supreme leader further said that the conditions in Gaza “have deteriorated to such an extent that people in Europe and the US are holding protests against their governments. But in these same circumstances, some Muslim governments are standing with the Zionist regime.”

    Khamenei asserted that Tehran and Islamabad can assist one another in many fields. “We are hopeful there will be a comprehensive expansion of ties, particularly in economic, political, and cultural spheres,” he added.

    During a joint press conference in Tehran, accompanied by the Iranian President on Monday, PM Shehbaz highlighted the long-standing cultural and historical ties between Pakistan and Iran.

    On the ongoing Gaza conflict, PM Shehbaz expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Palestinian people, decrying the Israeli aggression that has resulted in the deaths of nearly 54,000 Palestinians.

    Shehbaz is currently on a four-nation tour to friendly countries, where he will express his gratitude for their support for Pakistan during the recent military escalation with India.

    On Monday, the Pakistani Prime Minister was received by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at Saadabad Palace in the Iranian capital, where he received a guard of honour.

  • Is Feroze Khan easy to work with? Nadia Afgan has the scoop

    Is Feroze Khan easy to work with? Nadia Afgan has the scoop

    Actress Nadia Afgan has shared experiences of several actresses who recalled interacting with actor Feroze Khan, noting that his attempts to impress his co-stars on set were a constant pattern.

    Nadia recently appeared as a guest commentator on Kya Drama Hai, where she shared her views on a number of ongoing dramas.

    While commenting on Feroze Khan’s performance in the drama Humraaz, she said that although she has never worked with him personally, she has heard from many actresses in the industry that working with him can be difficult.

    “I have heard that Feroze Khan remains isolated and that he tries to isolate or impress his co-stars in the same way,” she said. “But this is just what I have heard, not my personal experience,” she clarified.

    Talking about his acting, Nadia added, “I find him a good actor, but he always seems to be Feroze Khan in his dramas. He doesn’t fully transform into the character.”

    She also commented on the types of roles he chooses, “Feroze Khan mostly plays hero roles. He is rarely seen taking on real or different characters.”

    Rating performances, she said, “Out of 10, I would give Feroze Khan 6 marks, while Ayeza Khan deserves 8.”

    Feroz Khan has starred in hit dramas such as Khani, Aye Musht-e-Khaak, Akhara, and Khuda Aur Mohabbat.

    His new drama Humraaz, alongside Ayeza Khan, has recently aired, with his character so far portrayed in a negative light.

  • Hajj flight forced to return twice after pilgrim denied boarding; no issues after permission granted

    Hajj flight forced to return twice after pilgrim denied boarding; no issues after permission granted

    The story of a Libyan man on his way to perform Hajj this year has gone viral on social media.

    The young man, Amer Al Mahdi Mansour Al Gaddafi, was travelling to the holy city of Mecca to perform the Islamic pilgrimage. However, he ran into trouble upon arriving at the airport with his group.

    Amer was stopped at immigration on doubts about his surname, “Al Gaddafi,” which still raises red flags in some security systems because of Libya’s past political unrest. While his group boarded the plane, Amer was held for questioning.

    Despite his repeated pleas, the flight crew reportedly decided to take off without him. But Amer did not give up. “I will not move from here unless it’s toward Hajj,” he told officials.

    Soon after takeoff, the flight faced a technical issue and had to return. After a quick repair, it took off again, but a problem forced the plane to turn back once again.

    Following the second emergency landing, according to the passengers, the captain made an announcement: “I swear I won’t fly again unless Amer is with us on this plane.”

    Authorities then cleared Amer for travel. On the third attempt, with Amer finally onboard, the flight departed successfully without any further issues.

    The story quickly spread across social media, with many calling it a sign of divine intervention. Speaking to local media later, Amer said, “I only wanted to go to Hajj. And I believed that if it was meant for me, nothing could stop it.”

  • Here’s how Pakistani intelligence obtained footage of IAF’s downed Rafale

    Here’s how Pakistani intelligence obtained footage of IAF’s downed Rafale

    Journalist Asif Bashir Chaudhary has revealed details about how Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency obtained footage of a downed Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighter jet.

    During the night of May 6–7, Pakistan reportedly shot down five Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, one Su-30, and one MiG-29 Fulcrum, after India launched missiles into Pakistan.

    “The Indian security forces immediately cordoned off the area where the Rafale crashed after being shot down, preventing civilians from approaching,” the journalist claimed while speaking on the YouTube channel Talk SHOCK.

    According to Chaudhary, after Pakistan’s field intelligence agency operating in India informed the central agency that an Indian spy was in possession of the downed Rafale footage, a plan was devised to obtain it.

    As per Chaudhary’s account, a Pakistani officer pretended to be a reporter and reached out to the Indian intelligence officer, saying, “I am a correspondent for an international media outlet, and I want to acquire footage of the downed Rafale for my organisation,” adding that the trick worked.

    The Indian officer allegedly agreed to share the footage but demanded INR 50,000 in return.

    “Once the amount was transferred, the footage was received on the provided WhatsApp number,” Chaudhary disclosed.

    He added that the video was so convincing that it compelled many to accept that a Rafale had indeed been shot down.

    When investigative journalist Azaz Syed asked whether the footage came from a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) or Intelligence Bureau (IB) official, Chaudhary said he had not been informed of that detail.

    “However, the Indian intelligence officer did possess the footage,” he clarified.

    When asked which Pakistani intelligence agency had obtained the footage – Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI), or the Intelligence Bureau (IB) – Chaudhary declined to name the agency. He asserted that he was not authorised to disclose that information. However, he hinted that it was the “premier intelligence agency.”

    It merits mention that New Delhi has neither confirmed nor denied reports that multiple IAF jets were downed by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) during the aerial combat. However, a number of international media outlets have confirmed reports of Indian aircraft being shot down, including Rafales.

    India’s reputable English-language newspaper The Hindu had previously posted on X (formerly Twitter) that three Indian fighter jets were shot down by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The post, however, was removed, with the outlet stating it had not received official confirmation from the Indian government.

    Additionally, a senior French intelligence official reportedly confirmed to CNN that a Rafale fighter jet belonging to the IAF was shot down by Pakistan, marking what may be the first known combat loss of the French-made aircraft.

     
    “We are aware of the loss of one Rafale and are examining reports suggesting more could have been downed,” CNN quoted a French official as saying.

    Meanwhile, BBC Verify reported on May 15 that it authenticated three videos, purportedly showing the wreckage of a French-manufactured Rafale fighter, which is used by the IAF.

     
    “In one clip, geolocated by BBC Verify to a field near the city of Bathinda in India’s Punjab state, troops can be seen collecting debris from the crashed jet,” it said.

     
    The outlet further reported that it also had two clips from the same location filmed at night. “One shows debris in the field, while another shows a projectile catching fire in the sky and then fire in an open field,” it revealed.

  • ‘It’s all a lot of sh*t’: Scottish YouTuber rubbishes Indian media claims about spying in Pakistan

    ‘It’s all a lot of sh*t’: Scottish YouTuber rubbishes Indian media claims about spying in Pakistan

    A Scottish travel vlogger has dismissed Indian media reports that claimed he played a role in exposing an alleged spy from India operating in Pakistan. 

    Callum Mill, who runs the YouTube channel Callum Abroad, took to social media to clarify that Indian news outlets were twisting footage that he shot in Lahore to fit a baseless narrative.

    The controversy surrounds Jyoti Malhotra, an Indian YouTuber arrested by the BJP government on accusations of “spying for Pakistan.” Malhotra visited Pakistan in 2023 with a valid visa and was seen in a YouTube vlog walking through Lahore’s old Anarkali Bazaar with an armed man following behind her. Callum happened to be in the same market during her visit and briefly interacted with her on camera.

    In the video, Callum asks about her thoughts on Pakistan, to which she responds positively, praising the hospitality and saying she’s enjoying herself. At the time, Callum expressed mild surprise at the high-level security surrounding Malhotra, saying, “I don’t know why she needs so many guns… very strange.”

    Months later, amid ongoing Pak-India tensions, Indian media began circulating Callum’s footage, calling it a “breakthrough”. Multiple outlets alleged that the Scottish YouTuber had helped expose a spy network involving Pakistani contacts, despite the fact that the footage was publicly available on Malhotra’s own YouTube channel and contained no incriminating evidence.

    Callum, clearly frustrated, took to X (previously Twitter) to reject the claims outright. Sharing clips of the same footage being aired on the Indian news channel Times Now, he wrote, “They are using my footage like I’ve unearthed crucial evidence, but it’s all a lot of shit. The gunmen can clearly be seen in her own video, so I’m honestly baffled by why they are bringing me into it.”

    He further added, “Surely Indian police were scrolling her footage to see where she’s been and who she’s been meeting… they would have seen it.”

    Callum’s strong rebuttal has highlighted the credibility gap in Indian media’s reporting, especially when it comes to anything involving Pakistan. Despite the Indian YouTuber having travelled to Pakistan legally and all footage being publicly available, Indian authorities arrested her and several others on vague charges, with no concrete evidence shared with the public yet.