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  • Liam Costner: All Details About Kevin Costner’s Son

    Liam Costner: All Details About Kevin Costner’s Son

    Liam Costner is no stranger to the Hollywood world because he is the son of a famous American actor and filmmaker. His father’s name is Kevin Costner. However, the son of Kevin Costner has stated that he does not intend to live a life dominated by a very successful actor. This is an interesting perspective because Liam is Kevin’s youngest child. Naturally, one would assume he would live a comfortable life knowing that his father is a notable figure. However, his son significantly paints a different picture because he was raised in a loving family. 

    In this article, we will explore how Kevin Costner’s son views his father and what tone the young Liam sets for himself. Let’s discuss more information regarding Liam Costner!

    Profile Summary of Liam Costner

    Full Name

    Liam Costner

    Date of Birth

    November 15, 1996

    Age

    28 Years (As of 2024)

    Birth Place

    The United States of America

    Nationality

    American

    Height

    5 ft 8 in

    Weight

    62 kg

    Zodiac Sign

    Scorpio

    Net Worth

    Approx. $1 million

    Parents

    Kevin Costner and Bridget Rooney

    Siblings

    Annie Costner, Joe Costner, and Lily Costner

    Profession

    Real Estate Agent

    Early Life and Family Background

    The birth of Liam Timothy Costner was a union of two powerful families. His father was coupled with Bridget Rooney. He is an actor, director, and producer famous for his roles in such iconic films as “Dances with Wolves” and “The Bodyguard.” On the other hand, Bridget is one of the family members who own the Pittsburgh Steelers. Though he was separated from them shortly after their birth, both parents played a part in raising him right. 

    Kevin’s legal ownership and emotional bond with his son were also established by a request that Kevin made for a paternity test. The test eliminated any possibility that Liam Costner was not his son. The best thing was that because of the family background of his father and the fact that he had several half-brothers and half-sisters, Liam had.

    Educational Background

    Liam only attended the best schools because of his family’s dedication to high-quality education. As a child, he received primary and secondary education at Oxbridge Academy. However, not much information is available regarding his higher education. Moreover, he is believed to focus on business and finance courses, which correlates with his professional aspirations.

    Choosing a Different Path for a Career

    Rather than choosing to work in the entertainment sector, Liam Costner engaged himself in making a name in the real estate market. He didn’t pursue a career in entertainment like his father. Liam pursued a career in real estate and served as a real estate agent for a company headquartered in Northern Palm Beach County. Frankel Bell Group has succeeded in leasing commercial real estate and has made inroads into the industry. Even though he comes from a well-known family, he has succeeded in keeping himself somewhat discreet in a working environment.

    Professional Life and Privacy

    Although many people are interested in his life because of his family, Liam has remained out of the limelight because he prefers privacy over fame. The other kids are known for chasing after the limelight and taking advantage of the circumstances. Still, for him, it is a word, not the publicity he used to hide his personal life from Cavalcade. This attitude extends to his marital status issues. They are equally unknown.

    Liam Costner’s Net Worth

    Liam Costner’s decent personal fortune has come his way courtesy of his profession and successful career in real estate investments. Although it is tough to say precisely his net worth, he enjoyed being part of two wealthy families. He seems intensely focused on establishing his wealth as a real estate businessman. Liam Costner’s unique profession reflects his strong work ethic and self-dependence.

    What Happened Between Liam’s Parents?

    Kevin Costner’s first wife was on the verge of divorce when he was romantically involved with Bridget Rooney. It is thought that Costner’s brief affair with Rooney was for the best. It seemed to have helped him in his career. But such indulgences aren’t new to Bridget’s world, as she comes from a wealthy family with A-list connections. However, outside of her family’s renown, Bridget was famous for sleeping with Kevin Costner and the controversy that was created.

    In 1996, the young lady at a television station in Aspen interlocked Jones by stating that she was pregnant. However, this was not appealing news to Costner. In an interview with New York Magazine, Bridget Rooney revealed that she is her own mother. 

    The actress was super serious about dispelling speculation that she was attempting to marry Cosner out of sheer interest in his wealth. Later, one source told the news distribution that it was also a way for Bridget to prove she did not need support from the Dances With the Wolves actor.

    The Paternity Controversy

    The issue of paternity arose with Bridget’s pregnancy. At first, Kevin Costner refused to say he was a father. But Bridget Rooney was ready and filed for a court test of paternity. So, Kevin Costner, is Liam Rooney your son? Yes, it has been six years since a DNA test confirmed that he was. Consequently, Costner accepted that he was the child’s father. He even established a trust fund for the child. The two started moving towards co-parenting and division of responsibility.

    Liam Costner’s Siblings

    The American real estate agent has seven half-siblings. His three half-siblings from his father’s first marriage with Cindy Silver are Annie, Lily, and Joseph. The three younger half-siblings include Cayden Wyat, Hayes Logan, and Grace Avery, born during his father’s second marriage to Christine Baumgartner. Of his older half-siblings, Anne is a film producer, Lily is an actress, and Joe is an actor. Liam Costner also has a half-sister, Kaitlin K.K. Koch, from the marriage between his mother and the American billionaire Bill Koch.

    Siblings Names With Their Birth Years

    Annie Costner

    1984

    Lily Costner

    1986

    Joe Costner

    1988

    Cayden Costner

    2007

    Hayes Loan Costner

    2009

    Grace Avery Costner

    2010

    Kevin Costner’s Net Worth

    Costner’s divorce from Baumgartner saw the actor estimated at a net worth of around $400 million in court documents. This figure incorporates motion pictures, television revenue, and his massive real estate holdings. He reportedly owns at least five properties totaling roughly 100 million and a compound worth 145 million.

    Costner has other sources of income apart from the entertainment industry. This includes his oil and water separation technology developed by Costner, which helped clean up the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, he is an investor in Autio, a road trip application.

    Read Also: Drew Drechsel: The Rise of a Ninja Warrior Champion

     

    Bottom Line

    Liam Costner’s journey shows that anyone can carve his destiny regardless of family circumstances. Regardless of family circumstances, Hollywood is far from his dedication to real estate, which is more of a passion for work. However, the lesson is a lot broader than that. It’s an inspirational story about continuing to build one’s empire despite not relying on an existing family legacy.

    This blog discussed everything related to Kevin Costner’s son, Liam Costner. We also discussed his siblings, what happened between his parents, and his father’s net worth. I hope you found our article informative and found the information you sought!

  • Drew Drechsel: The Rise of a Ninja Warrior Champion

    Drew Drechsel: The Rise of a Ninja Warrior Champion

    To an audience that has watched any episode of the American Ninja Warrior, Dre Drechsel is not the new name. This show is full of challenges and obstacles. Clearing a single obstacle demands tremendous strength and skill in this show. Wearing jeans or cargo pants, he raced through every obstacle with enough speed to win new Speed and Safety passes in head-to-head competitions. He climbed an 18½-foot Mega Wall to become the first person to survive the unachievable Stage 3 course in four years. Furthermore, he scaled a 75-foot rope in less than 30 seconds to win the $1 million grand prize.

    You call him utterly disciplined. He seems superhuman. Since 2015, he has won the title of “the first person to win ‘American Ninja Warrior’ in its entirety.” If you want to learn more information about Drew Drechsel, this blog will help you. Let’s talk about the American Ninja Warrior!

    Early Life and Athletic Beginnings

    Drew Drechsel was born in the United States on January 6, 1989. From an early age, he appeared physically adventurous and active. He participated in many sports, especially gymnastics. His active involvement allowed him to become the great American Ninja Warrior he is today. American Ninja Warrior consists of very difficult courses. One must have agility, strength, and body control to surpass them.

    Given Drechsel’s love of movement, a background in athletics could lend itself to fulfilling this vision. His ability to execute perfect moves sets him apart from other Ninja Warrior contestants. Moreover, he was a champion due to his ability to control his movements on the walls, bars, and ropes. This pursuit led him to different avenues of fitness, such as parkour and obstacle course racing, which he would employ to great effect in Ninja Warrior.

    The Secrets to Drew Drechsel’s Success

    Drew Drechsel credits his success to his mindset just as much as his skills and power. This should not be the case because Drechsel’s mindset and skills are equally evident in his speech. Here are some of the qualities that have contributed to Drechsel’s rise: 

    • A Strong Work Ethic and Consistency

    One of Drechsel’s defining traits is his seemingly irrational willingness to commit. Afterward, Drew Drechsel worked day and night to improve his scores. Everything became part of his consistent training schedule, which included performing strength exercises, attending obstacle training sessions, and participating in gymnastics. His consistency in training and dedication to sharpening his skills gave him a massive edge over his rivals.

    • Mental Toughness and Focus

    Much like Ninja Warrior USA, Drechsel’s mental toughness and ability to withstand competitive pressure are some of his strongest assets. There is a belief that American Ninja Warrior is not just a physical competition but a mental one. The Ninja Warrior course is long and arduous on most occasions, and they are often not provided the social support needed for that task. He dwells in the inner cool of calmness while holding a baton on a scale gripped by naysayers and torches of doubts.

    • Adaptability

    Drechsel’s competitive advantage over other contestants also lies in his ability to adapt to new conditions. Every season of American Ninja Warrior features a new course with an ever-increasing number of obstacles. Drew Drechsel quickly understood the new mechanics of these obstacles and successfully integrated them into his training regimens. His adaptability means that whether it’s a wall to climb over, ropes to swing on, or narrow beams to walk on, he has no problem with any of it.

    • Strong Support System

    Drew Drechsel may be seen as a strong competitor, but behind him are his family, friends, and other athletes contributing to his success. The Ninja Warriors community is characterized by brotherhood. Moreover, Drechsel has made friends with many of his rivals. He counts on several other athletes to keep him motivated. He says his ability to train others has helped him grow so much.

    Read Also: Eddie Murphy Net Worth, Biography, Career, Early Life

     

    Bottom Line

    Drew Drechsel’s success as the American Ninja Warrior is the story of someone with strong willpower, skills, and the right mental approach. From his low period of bitterness to his winning reign of 2019, Drechsel has shown several times that where there is a will, there is a way. This blog discussed everything you need to know about the American Ninja Warrior.

  • Internet slowdown could threaten Pakistan’s IT export growth, future prospects

    Internet slowdown could threaten Pakistan’s IT export growth, future prospects

    IT exporters are growing worried after Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) announced that slow speeds will persist as repair work on the damaged submarine cable is facing delays. In November 2024, Pakistan’s service exports grew by a respectable 6.5 percent because of the IT sector.

    Before the internet slowdown, service exports rose consistently by over 7.5 percent to reach $3.27 billion in the first five months of FY 2024-25. However, connectivity issues may jeopardise the growth of Pakistan’s rapidly growing service sector. PTCL has confirmed that it will take several days to get internet services back in order but that the internet will remain available for use in a limited capacity.

    Experts are predicting that these internet connectivity issues could significantly hamper the growth of future IT exports. The reason cited by experts is that foreigners could soon notice how unreliable internet services are once their projects face delays due to connectivity issues.

    Pakistani businesses working on outsourced tasks are expected to suffer tremendously as they may lose out on foreign contracts because of unreliable internet connection. A potential reason behind the loss of contracts is that prolonged connectivity issues can erode the trust of clients in the ability of Pakistani businesses.

    The freelancing community is another segment of the population that will be struck hard by the slowdown in internet speeds. According to Dawn, Pakistan ranked second in terms of the number of freelancers in the world last year, exporting services to 170 countries.

    For Islamabad, this is a huge setback as this could significantly hamper project Uraan Pakistan and Shahbaz Sharif’s plan to boost IT exports in the recent past. The government has set an export target of $25 billion in the next five years, which translates to five billion dollars per year. This is significantly higher than the 3.223 billion dollars it currently generates from IT exports.

    If this situation continues, Islamabad may soon witness a decline in the future foreign reserve inflows, which it desperately needs.

    Aside from exporters and the government, businesses will also be hit hard because of the abysmal internet speeds. The non-IT export businesses that will suffer the most include those that offer streaming services such as Urduflix and Vodlix.

    While Islamabad reiterates its commitment to achieve 25 billion dollars in exports in the next five years, experts are predicting that it might not be possible with the frequent fluctuations in internet speeds that occur either as a result of cable faults or to curb political protests.

  • Starlink waiting for Pakistan govt approvals, Elon Musk confirms

    Starlink waiting for Pakistan govt approvals, Elon Musk confirms

    The head of Starlink Services, Elon Musk, has confirmed in a tweet posted on Saturday that the internet satellite is waiting for government approvals to launch their services in Pakistan. 

    Musk replied to a tweet by a Pakistani account that asked about bringing Starlink Services to Pakistan: “We are waiting for approval from the government.” The original tweet came about in an unrelated conversation. 

    This is the first time that Musk, the richest man on earth and head of Tesla and Twitter, has directly tweeted about launching Starlink Services in Pakistan. 

    Starlink is a satellite internet service that provides high speed connectivity to remote areas of the world. Developed by Musk’s SpaceX, it offers multiple packages at different rates for its internet service.

    It merits a mention that digital rights activists have time and again challenged the government’s sincerity in bringing Starlink to Pakistan.

    The government, they say, is not willing to allow the satellite internet company in the country if it can not enforce the strict local regulations for online content.

  • List of key Golden Globe nominees

    List of key Golden Globe nominees

    Here are the nominees in key categories for the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, which will be handed out on January 5.

    Surreal musical “Emilia Perez” led all contenders with 10 nods, followed by “The Brutalist” at seven and “Conclave” at six.

    – FILM –

    Best film, drama

    “The Brutalist”

    “A Complete Unknown”

    “Conclave”

    “Dune: Part Two”

    “Nickel Boys”

    “September 5”

    Best film, musical or comedy

    “Anora”

    “Challengers”

    “Emilia Perez”

    “A Real Pain”

    “The Substance”

    “Wicked”

    Best actor, drama

    Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”

    Timothee Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown”

    Daniel Craig, “Queer”

    Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”

    Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”

    Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice”

    Best actress, drama

    Pamela Anderson, “The Last Showgirl”

    Angelina Jolie, “Maria”

    Nicole Kidman, “Babygirl”

    Tilda Swinton, “The Room Next Door”

    Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”

    Kate Winslet, “Lee”

    Best actor, musical or comedy

    Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”

    Hugh Grant, “Heretic”

    Gabriel LaBelle, “Saturday Night”

    Jesse Plemons, “Kinds of Kindness”

    Glen Powell, “Hit Man”

    Sebastian Stan, “A Different Man”

    Best actress, musical or comedy

    Amy Adams, “Nightbitch”

    Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”

    Karla Sofia Gascon, “Emilia Perez”

    Mikey Madison, “Anora”

    Demi Moore, “The Substance”

    Zendaya, “Challengers”

    Best supporting actor

    Yura Borisov, “Anora”

    Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”

    Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”

    Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”

    Jeremy Strong, “The Apprentice”

    Denzel Washington, “Gladiator II”

    Best supporting actress

    Selena Gomez, “Emilia Perez”

    Ariana Grande, “Wicked”

    Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”

    Margaret Qualley, “The Substance”

    Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave”

    Zoe Saldana, “Emilia Perez”

    Best director

    Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Perez”

    Sean Baker, “Anora”

    Edward Berger, “Conclave”

    Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist”

    Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”

    Payal Kapadia, “All We Imagine as Light”

    Best non-English language film

    “All We Imagine as Light”

    “Emilia Perez”

    “The Girl with the Needle”

    “I’m Still Here”

    “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”

    “Vermiglio”

    Best cinematic and box office achievement:

    “Alien: Romulus”

    “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”

    “Deadpool & Wolverine”

    “Gladiator II”

    “Inside Out 2”

    “Twisters”

    “Wicked”

    “The Wild Robot”

    Best animated feature

    “Flow”

    “Inside Out 2”

    “Memoir of a Snail”

    “Moana 2”

    “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”

    “The Wild Robot”

    – TELEVISION –

    Best drama series

    “The Day of the Jackal”

    “The Diplomat”

    “Mr & Mrs Smith”

    “Shogun”

    “Slow Horses”

    “Squid Game”

    Best drama actor

    Donald Glover, “Mr & Mrs Smith”

    Jake Gyllenhaal, “Presumed Innocent”

    Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”

    Eddie Redmayne, “The Day of the Jackal”

    Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shogun”

    Billy Bob Thornton, “Landman”

    Best drama actress

    Kathy Bates, “Matlock”

    Emma D’Arcy, “House of the Dragon”

    Maya Erskine, “Mr & Mrs Smith”

    Keira Knightley, “Black Doves”

    Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”

    Anna Sawai, “Shogun”

    Best musical or comedy series

    “Abbott Elementary”

    “The Bear”

    “The Gentlemen”

    “Hacks”

    “Nobody Wants This”

    “Only Murders in the Building”

    Best musical or comedy actor

    Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”

    Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside”

    Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”

    Jason Segel, “Shrinking”

    Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”

    Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”

    Best musical or comedy actress

    Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”

    Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”

    Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”

    Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”

    Kathryn Hahn, “Agatha All Along”

    Jean Smart, “Hacks”

    Best limited series or TV movie

    “Baby Reindeer”

    “Disclaimer”

    “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”

    “The Penguin”

    “Ripley”

    “True Detective: Night Country”

    Best limited series or TV movie actor

    Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”

    Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”

    Kevin Kline, “Disclaimer”

    Cooper Koch, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”

    Ewan McGregor, “A Gentleman in Moscow”

    Andrew Scott, “Ripley”

    Best limited series or TV movie actress

    Cate Blanchett, “Disclaimer”

    Jodie Foster, “True Detective: Night Country”

    Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin”

    Sofia Vergara, “Griselda”

    Naomi Watts, “Feud: Capote vs the Swans”

    Kate Winslet, “The Regime”

    Best performance in stand-up comedy on television:

    Jamie Foxx, “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was”

    Nikki Glaser, “Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die”

    Seth Meyers, “Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking”

    Adam Sandler, “Adam Sandler: Love You”

    Ali Wong, “Ali Wong: Single Lady”

    Ramy Youssef, “Ramy Youssef: More Feelings”

    – FILMS WITH MOST NOMINATIONS –

    “Emilia Perez” – 10

    “The Brutalist” – 7

    “Conclave” – 6

    “Anora” – 5

    “The Substance” – 5

  • You won’t  believe which actor is related to Allama Iqbal

    You won’t  believe which actor is related to Allama Iqbal

     What if the actor you admire on screen has a special family connection to Allama Iqbal? That’s exactly what actor Emmad Irfani has. 

    Appearing as a guest on Virsa Heritage Revive show hosted by Yousaf Salahuddin, the Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum actor revealed a surprise connection to one of Pakistan’s greatest national figures – Allama Iqbal. 

    Emmad Irfani disclosed, “Whenever I come to Yusuf Uncle’s place, it’s perhaps unknown to many of you, but we also have family connections.”


    Yousaf Saluddin , Allama Iqbal’s grandson, shared further details, saying “ll tell you that Emmad’s great-grandmother was actually Allama Iqbal’s sister. So, this is a beautiful connection.”   


    While expressing his admiration for Virsa and the efforts to preserve Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage, he commented:


     “Whenever I come here (Virsa Hertiage), I always learn something, and this beautiful gathering of heritage is something special. This is my first time being here. I had seen it on TV and YouTube. The contribution everyone is making to keep Pakistan’s culture and music alive is wonderful, and music is something everyone loves. For me, I have a deep love for music. It feels amazing to be here tonight.”

  • Twists, tensions, and unanswered questions: Aye Ishq-e-Junoon keeps viewers hooked

    Twists, tensions, and unanswered questions: Aye Ishq-e-Junoon keeps viewers hooked

    Drama nights are like mystery boxes—you never know if you’ll get shocking twists, heartfelt moments, or just an excuse to yell at your TV.


    The latest episode of Aye Ishq-e-Junoon has us all on the edge of our seats. Rahim has been openly challenging Afia, taunting her in front of Ali Nawaz. But is he wise? And will Farooq eventually have to pick a side?


    Rahim is determined to ensure no one comes between him and his father. He has made his intentions clear to Farooq.


    Usually, long conversations can be boring, but this episode had a few that held our interest. The conversation between Rahim and Maheen’s father Mir Zulfiqar was engaging. Also, the chat between Afia and Rahim when she brought him coffee was intriguing.


    The big question is whether Rahim will go to any extent and compromise his own values to regain his father’s respect and take his revenge.


     “Rahim Ali Nawaz ne kabhi asaani se dushmani nahi ki, lekin aapka waqar aur aapka ikhlaq dekh kar soch raha hun dil khol kar aapki dushmani qubool karun…”


    This dialogue heightened the tension, making us curious about how Rahim will retaliate against Mir Zulfiqar.


    “Sastay shouq to mainay kabhi paalay bhi nahi, Maheen ko hee dekh lijiye”.
    This dialogue was problematic, especially since Rahim had just claimed he still respected Maheen.


    Mir Zulfiqar’s lawyer is trying to get Aimen to admit that Rahim is the killer. It seems everyone believes Rahim is the culprit, but they need solid proof to nail the case against him.


    Farooq is trying to keep both sides happy, but as the case heats up, he might have to pick a side. His conversation with Afia made us question his loyalty. Will he prioritize making Ali Nawaz happy and saving his sister, or Ali Nawaz is confusing us. He believes Rahim is the culprit but masterminded his release from jail. Why did he ignore Rahim when he came back home and why is he not talking to him properly?


    Shuja Asad is being underutilized as Shehroze. There is not much development in his story, which is a shame given his talent.


    Does no one know about Aimen’s memory loss? Maybe Rahim suspects this, which is why he asked Farooq not to target Aimen. He also said that Aimen and he were the only ones who lost in this ordeal. Jamal knows for sure about Aimen’s memory loss, but why does she keep believing him and why is her father not questioning Jamal about his accusations?

  • World’s oldest person dies at 116 in Japan

    World’s oldest person dies at 116 in Japan

    The world’s oldest person, Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka, has died aged 116, the city where she lived, Ashiya, announced on Saturday.

    Itooka, who had four children and five grandchildren, died on December 29 at a nursing home where she resided since 2019, the southern city’s mayor said in a statement.

    She was born on May 23, 1908 in the commercial hub of Osaka, near Ashiya — four months before the Ford Model T was launched in the United States.

    Itooka was recognised as the oldest person in the world after the August 2024 death of Spain’s Maria Branyas Morera at age 117.

    “Ms Itooka gave us courage and hope through her long life,” Ashiya’s 27-year-old mayor Ryosuke Takashima said in the statement.

    “We thank her for it.”

    Itooka, who was one of three siblings, lived through world wars and pandemics as well as technological breakthroughs.

    As a student, she played volleyball.

    In her older age, Itooka enjoyed bananas and Calpis, a milky soft drink popular in Japan, according to the mayor’s statement.

    Women typically enjoy longevity in Japan, but the country is facing a worsening demographic crisis as its expanding elderly population leads to soaring medical and welfare costs, with a shrinking labour force to pay for it.

    As of September, Japan counted more than 95,000 people who were 100 or older — 88 percent of whom were women.

    Of the country’s 124 million people, nearly a third are 65 or older.

  • Cotton production falls by 33 percent amid bad weather, unfair policies

    Cotton production falls by 33 percent amid bad weather, unfair policies

    Cotton farmers grow worried as the forces of nature and governance all stack up against them. The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) reveals cotton production fell by 33 percent compared to the same period last year.

    The culprits responsible for the major drop in cotton yields are substandard seed varieties, bad weather and, arguably, an unfair taxation policy. These factors reduced cotton production by 2.719 million bales compared to the previous year.

    Cotton production has declined sharply in recent years, but not entirely because of seed quality or suboptimal weather conditions. In fact, cotton production levels are declining as the cotton ginners rely on imported cotton instead of procuring it locally.

    The reason millers and ginners purchase imported cotton is that it is cheaper because local cotton sales are subjected to an 18 percent tax, while no additional charges are levied on imported cotton.

    This poses an immediate risk to cotton farmers in Pakistan as discriminatory taxation policies are effectively pushing them out of business. According to the International Cotton Advisory Committee, a staggering 1.3 million Pakistani cotton farmers may lose their livelihoods soon.

    The current policy of not taxing cotton imports is likely to hurt Islamabad as well because, according to Dawn News, the shortfall of cotton may result in Pakistan needing to import cotton worth well over two billion dollars to fulfil the needs of the domestic textile sector.

    Islamabad is also losing out as tax revenues on imported cotton remain uncollected. The only sector seemingly befitting the entire situation is the textiles and apparel sector. However, their gains from purchasing cheaper imported cotton may also be short-term.

    The textiles and apparel sector, which makes up 60 percent of Pakistan’s total exports, could soon find itself at the mercy of foreign cotton producers. Large producers often utilise a tactic known as ‘dumping’ to damage infant industries. The same phenomenon, however, is being achieved in Pakistan as a result of the taxation policy.

    Pakistan’s centuries-old and well-established cotton-growing industry is at risk. If cotton production levels continue to plummet, the textile industry will become overly reliant on imported cotton.

    Islamabad can equalise prices between imported and local cotton by imposing taxes on imports. If this does not happen, foreign cotton sellers will then be able to dictate the price of cotton and sell it to Pakistan at exorbitant rates once domestic cotton growers are out of business.

  • Minor domestic worker killed by alleged violence

    Minor domestic worker killed by alleged violence

    A minor boy named Sunny, working as a house help in Lahore’s Ghalib Market area, was killed after violence.


    Geo News reports that Sunny worked at the residence of Sajid, a resident of Main Market.


    Police say that the incident took place a few days ago. Upon examination, the police found out that the child’s body bore signs of violence, including injuries to his genitals.

     
    The child was taken to the hospital but died during treatment.


    Two suspects have been arrested, and a case has been registered on the statement of the victim’s father at the Ghalib Market police station.


    Police say that the child’s father has registered a case against the house owner on charges of violence against the child. 


    Meanwhile, two suspects have also been arrested.


    Torture against domestic staff is frequently reported in Pakistan.

    A female house owner allegedly set a housemaid on fire by sprinkling petrol on her in North Cantt police station limits in Lahore. 


    The housemaid named Shabnam passed away after being hospitalised for 28 days.


    She has been working in the house of a man named Nauman for the past 11 years. 


    Nauman’s wife, Shazia, allegedly in a rage, sprinkled petrol on the maid and set her on fire.


    40-year-old Shabnam suffered burns on 70 percent of her body and was rushed to Mayo Hospital where her condition was said to be critical.
     
    However, she passed away on December 29, 2023.

    Read more: Justice delayed and denied