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  • Islamabad’s debt relief: A temporary triumph amid fiscal uncertainty

    Islamabad’s debt relief: A temporary triumph amid fiscal uncertainty

    Islamabad has managed to repay Rs2.03 trillion in the first half of the ongoing fiscal year as compared to borrowing a staggering Rs2.875 trillion in the same period of fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has revealed.

    As per the details, the federal government’s borrowings from financial institutions remained negative for the first two quarters of FY2024-25 as Islamabad was able to retire its debt liabilities owing to the record-breaking inflows the SBP was able to generate in the pervious year.

    The SBP was able to generate a whopping Rs3.4 trillion in profit, as a result of stable value of the rupee in the past year along with sky-high interest rates at 22 percent.

    The SBP transferred 80 percent of its profits to Islamabad, which amounted to Rs2.72 trillion. However, it might not be possible for the SBP to sustain such a high level of profitability as interest rates have been slashed to just 13 percent now.

    Experts, however, predict a fall in the liquidity of the national exchequer in the upcoming half of ongoing fiscal year, which could force Islamabad to borrow funds to finance the budget. The drop in liquidity is primarily due to the fact that SBP profits are projected to fall.

    According to reports, the SBP has been the government’s biggest profit-earner, surpassing any potential earnings from trade or industry. This means that cash inflows to the federal government might fall drastically in case of a drop in SBP profits.

    This fall in inflows might be exacerbated by a projected fall in Treasury bill (T-bill) yields causing further liquidity issues for the government in the upcoming half.

    While the retirement of debt in the first half of the fiscal year is a success, the same is being seen as temporary due to projected decline in inflows, which could prompt Islamabad to resort back to its historical trend of borrowing money for budgetary support.

    As of now, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has consistently missed its collection targets in the first five months of FY2024-25. Since the FBR has been unable to generate the revenues necessary to sustain budget outlays for the second half.

    While current situation suggests that Islamabad will resort to utilising borrowed funds to plug the gap in the budget, speculations regarding the government’s future course of action are on the rise after achieving this short-term victory.

    Officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are especially interested in the unveiling of said plans given how Islamabad is not delivering on all of the agreed upon terms for the $7 billion loan that it secured earlier this year.

  • Babar becomes first Pakistani cricketer to score 4,000 runs in all formats

    Babar becomes first Pakistani cricketer to score 4,000 runs in all formats

    Star batsman Babar Azam has become the first Pakistani player to score 4,000 runs in all three formats of cricket.

    As per the details, although Babar was sent back to the pavilion after scoring only 4 runs against South Africa in the first Test Thursday, he completed a total of 4,000 runs in Test cricket.

    Earlier, he has played 128 T20 matches and scored a total of 4,223 runs. In ODIs, he has scored a whopping 5,957 runs since his debut in 2015.

    A year after his ODI debut, Babar was given T20I and Test caps. He led Pakistan for many years, but his performance as a captain came into question after the team’s poor performance at the 2023 World Cup. Babar resigned from captaincy of all three formats in November 2023 after Pakistan’s exit from the World Cup.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) then appointed Shaheen Afridi as the T20 skipper whereas Shan Masood was handed reins of Pakistan’s Test squad. 

    In March this year, Babar was once again made captain of Pakistan’s white ball teams. Under his leadership, Pakistan played 43 ODIs, winning 26 and losing 15. Apart from this, Pakistan won 48 and lost 29 T20 International matches.

    On October 2, 2024, he resigned as white-ball captain once again. Currently, Muhammad Rizwan is leading Greenshirts in ODI and T20Is.

  • I used to drink all night, says Aamir Khan

    I used to drink all night, says Aamir Khan

    Did you know that one of Bollywood’s biggest stars once couldn’t stop drinking? Aamir Khan recently opened up about his battle with alcohol, admitting that in the past, he used to drink all night long.

    In a candid conversation with fellow actor Nana Patekar, the Dangal actor confessed that he struggled with extreme habits.   

    Nana Patekar asked Aamir Khan if he had any bad habits.

     “I have quit drinking now, but at one point, I used to drink all night. I couldn’t stop. The problem is that I am an extremist; I keep doing what I’m already doing. It’s not a good thing, and I realize that. I know it’s wrong, but I can’t stop myself,” the Taare Zameen Par actor replied.

    Standing at around 5’5, Aamir was concerned that audiences will not accept him especially when compared to his taller contemporaries

    “I was scared fans would reject me because of my height, this was my fear,” Aamir Khan shared.

    Despite these early insecurities, Aamir eventually overcame them and gained confidence.

    “Later I realized that all of this does not matter at all, what is important is how honestly you are working and how your work can enchant people, and after that, everything else is unimportant.”

    Earler, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Aamir Khan and his ex-wife Kiran Rao, discussed the emotional journey that led him to reconsider leaving films and shared how his family convinced him to stay.

     

    Aamir Khan said, “I was going through a personal journey of my own, and towards the end of COVID, I found myself sitting alone and reflecting. The time alone made me realize that I’d spent the bulk of my adult life, from the age of 18 when I first became an assistant, entirely focused on cinema and films. This made me think that maybe I hadn’t been there enough for my relationships, my kids, my siblings, my family, whether it was with Kiran when I was married to her or Reena when I was married to her. I felt I hadn’t been present enough for these people.”

     The Taare Zameen Par actor shared that he realized this during the shooting of ‘Laal Singh Chaddha, when the pandemic halted production. 



    “I felt a lot of guilt and didn’t feel good about what I had done. So, in an emotional reaction, I thought I’d done enough films in my 35 years in the industry and could now focus on my family and personal relationships”, Khan admitted.

  • ‘Fundamentally wrong’: Indian sharks mock Shark Tank Pakistan

    ‘Fundamentally wrong’: Indian sharks mock Shark Tank Pakistan

    With Shark Tank Pakistan continuing to make waves and bringing the country’s startup revolution to the global stage, two of the judges from Shark Tank India have shared how they feel about the hit show’s Pakistan edition.

    Shark Tank, the American franchise of the British TV series Dragons’ Den, shows entrepreneurs making business presentations to a panel of five venture capitalists called “sharks”, who then decide whether to invest in their companies or not. The show reached new highs after the release of its Indian franchise in 2021, which was followed by the first season of Shark Tank Pakistan that premiered earlier this year.

    As some of the deals from Shark Tank Pakistan, including the biggest investment in the history of the show around the globe, make headlines, two investors from Shark Tank India have expressed their opinions on the same.

    Appearing on influencer Sharan Hegde’s podcast, Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal and BoAt co-founder Aman Gupta highlighted key differences between both Shark Tank franchises, mocking some bits from the Pakistani version and explaining how it was “fundamentally wrong”.

    “Someone invested some 300 crores at the show. This is not possible,” Aman said, adding that he hadn’t been following it but did see some interesting clips going viral.

    Mittal burst out laughing when he heard the question. “What’s going on there?” he asked as the two highlighted the PKR 300 crores demand as an example of the show’s absurdity.

    Both sharks were referring to a viral clip where an elderly contestant on Shark Tank Pakistan asked for a PKR 300 crores investment in exchange for 3% equity. The request had shocked the judges, especially when the contestant had called the amount “peanuts” for them.

    Anupam said he found some of the clips hilarious because they showed a lack of understanding and how some of the things were “fundamentally and technically wrong”.

    Expressing hope that the show would improve in the years to come, the Shaadi.com founder said region’s economic growth and Pakistan’s progress was important for India too. “If Pakistan doesn’t grow economically, it will create problems that we [India] will have to face. It will slow us down,” he said.

    Anupam also expressed hope that shows like Shark Tank Pakistan would inspire economic growth and productivity in the country. “It’s in everyone’s best interest for Shark Tank Pakistan to motivate people and guide them in the right direction,” he added.

  • Yashma Gill sparks wedding buzz with this dream

    Yashma Gill sparks wedding buzz with this dream

    For a Muslim, the most desirable place to get married is in one of the two Holy cities, Makkah and Madina. 

    Renowned Pakistani actress Yashma Gill also wants to marry in the holy cities after Saudi Arabia has allowed weddings there.

    Yashma Gill announced her intention to get married soon. The actress shared her excitement on Instagram by posting a screenshot of a news story that went viral on the platform.

    She was happy with the Saudi government’s recent decision to allow marriages in Makkah and Madina. In her Instagram story, she wrote, “It’s time to get married,” indicating her eagerness to tie the knot in one of the holy cities.

    The news of Yashma’s upcoming marriage has been met with joy and well-wishes from her fans and social media users alike.

    Earlier, Actress Yashma Gill has been blown away by the overwhelming response she received on the matrimonial app Dil Ka Rishta, with over 10,000 marriage proposals pouring in from all over the world. After growing frustrated with the demands of traditional matchmaking, Yashma decided to take matters into her own hands and joined the app, where she quickly became the center of attention. Now, the question remains: who will she choose as her future partner? 

    During an interview on Mazaq Raat, Yashma shared the surprising challenges she faces in finding a suitable match, admitting that it has become quite expensive.

    “From 10:00 in the morning to 10:00 pm at shooting we’re all busy, so there’s no time to look for a husband. So what I did was, I was sitting on the set, and I looked up online marriage bureaus. I thought, let me ask them what’s going on. I asked if they could suggest any good matches, the marriage bureau asked me for a video call to see whether Yashma Gill was available or not. I was like, what’s going on. After all that, they sent me a message saying, ‘To register, we charge four lakh, and after the relationship is finalized, we ask for eight llakh,” Yashma said.

    Dil Ka Rishta is designed to help individuals find potential life partners. It allows users to create profiles, browse through matches, and connect with others seeking relationships.

    On Life Green Hai, Yashma Gill was asked what qualities should her partner have.

    In response, she said, “I want to marry someone who is a nice person, somebody who has good moral values, somebody who has good ethical values.” 


    The actress emphasized the importance of her partner having fear of God, as it helps them understand how to care for others and present themselves with good manners.


    During the conversation, the Haq Mehar actress revealed, “My mother has completely different thoughts about my marriage and nowadays, she’s asking our employee for my friend’s number so she can convince my friend to marry my cousin.”

    Yashma Gill has starred in drama serial such as, ‘Meri Saheli Meir Bhabhi’, Iltija, ‘Qurban’, ‘Ghar Titli Ka Par’, ‘Kab Mere Kehloage’, ‘Haara Dil, ‘Azmaish’, ‘Bebaak’, ‘Khel’ and ‘Haq Mehar.

  • Resistance to govt officials costs IG Motorway Police his post

    Resistance to govt officials costs IG Motorway Police his post

    A Grade 21 officer of the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) Salman Chaudhry has been removed from the post of Inspector General (IG) of the Motorway Police (MP) after reportedly resisting the transfer of administrative control of the National Highway and Motorway Police (NH&MP) from the Ministry of Communication to the Ministry of Interior, Dawn News reported on Thursday.

    During a recent top brass meeting chaired by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi favoured a proposal to shift the administrative control from the Ministry of Communication to the Ministry of Interior. However, Mr Salman Chaudhry had opposed the proposal, officials said.

    Following his removal as IG MP, the federal government instructed Mr Chaudhry to report to the Establishment Division until further orders.

    Meanwhile, Rifat Mukhtar has been appointed as IG MP. 

    According to officials, Mr Chaudhry emphasised that NHMP, under the control of the Ministry of Communication, had attained a distinctive position in the country through effective enforcement by applying the highest standards of professionalism, fearing the transferring process could undermine or compromise its current standing.

    It was a surprise for Mohsin Naqvi when Khawaja Asif apparently supported Mr Chaudhry’s stance, maintaining that NHMP’s administrative control should be under the control of the Ministry of Communication.

    Reportedly, differences between the two federal ministers also led to the transfer of the Grade 21 officer.

    An official privy to the development told Dawn News that Chaudhry had differences with the Minister of Communication Abdul Aleem Khan over recruitment in various ranks.

    According to the sources, Mr Chaudhry is one of the few senior policemen who had served in all four provinces at various senior positions and was known among police circles as an upright officer.

    “He survived two earlier attempts to transfer him. However, he couldn’t survive a third time,” said sources.

    As per sources, Mr Chaudhry was informed that as a gesture of goodwill, he would be transferred in mid-February 2025 after completing one year as IG MP; however, senior police officers were shocked by his early transfer.


     
    The federal government appointed Mr Salman Chaudhry as IG MP on 10 January 2024.

    There is an unwritten understanding in the bureaucracy that if an officer is transferred after completing a year at his post, it is considered a routine matter.

    Ministry of Communications is the central policy-making body and administrative authority in road infrastructure, road transportation, provision of communication links between individuals and businesses, provision of research & training to relevant stakeholders and policing on National Highways & Motorways.

  • BGT: Australia at 311/6 on day one against India

    BGT: Australia at 311/6 on day one against India

    The fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia commenced today, December 26, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. At the end of Day One, Australia posted a total of 311 runs for the loss of 6 wickets.

    The day’s play was highlighted by significant contributions from Australian batsmen Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja, both scoring fifties.  India’s bowling attack was led by Jasprit Bumrah, who spearheaded a fightback, claiming crucial wickets to keep the visitors competitive. 

    This Test holds substantial importance as the series is currently tied at 1-1, with both teams vying for a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.  The match is scheduled to continue over the next four days, concluding on December 30, 2024.

    Social media bashes Virat Kohli for sledging teenaged player

    Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli has become social media’s target for getting into a fight on Thursday with 19-year-old Australian opener Sam Konstas, who was making his Test debut during the 4th Test of Border Gavaskar Trophy.

    Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, with Sam Konstas playing brilliant shots against ace Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

    A video shot during a break in the over shows Virat intentionally crashing into  Sam’s shoulder on the side of the pitch. Kohli then turned around and started challenging the young batter.

    First, Usman Khawaja tried to end the matter with a smile and placing a hand on Kohli’s shoulder. Match officials intervened and cooled the matter down. 

    Despite Kohli’s attempt at bullying the young debutant, Sam played confidently and scored a half-century off 52 balls.

    Later, Sam Constas scored 60 runs off 65 balls before being bowled out lbw off Ravindra Jadeja.

    Virat’s behaviour was largely met with disapproval, leading to severe criticism on social media. 

    Today is the first day of the fourth Boxing Day Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India at the MCG.

     
  • Hania Aamir says was told to ‘get out’ by organiser at Dallas event

    Hania Aamir says was told to ‘get out’ by organiser at Dallas event

    Actress Hania Aamir’s Meet and Greet with fans in Dallas took an unexpected and shocking turn when she was allegedly told to ‘get out’ by an event organizer, leaving fans stunned and sparking outrage across social media. 


    Taking to Instagram the superstar explained: “It’s no secret that I love and respect my fans more than words can describe. Everyone who came to meet us at the Dallas event, I love you to bits and it’s unfortunate that it had to end so abruptly. I am proud of the fact that we have built a community of love, trust, and support and of just seeing each other as human beings. So it is only fair that there is transparency regarding this matter as well.”


    The event was going well as Hania Aamir took pictures with fans, but things changed when she heard an argument.       

    “Everyone saw videos of me walking to the crowd and taking pictures and everything was fine. When I was going back to my seat, I heard one of the organizers verbally abuse my manager. So I walked up to her and asked what had happened and told the man (one of the organizers) that he cannot speak to her like this. She was so distraught that she went backstage. I followed her to make sure she was okay, and Fahad, being a gentleman, also came to check up on her,” the Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum actress continued. 

    After the argument, Hania and Fahad decided to take photos with fans backstage, but things got worse.


    “Then we decided to start with the photos with the fans backstage. At this point, he came running after us, calling us names, telling us to get out, called off the security protocols, and verbally assaulted us even more (people had to hold him back). We were rushed out by our promoter, Arif Khan, to not further escalate anything, and we managed a personal means of transport to get back safely to the hotel,” Hania Aamir added.


    The Mere Humsafar actress shared her thoughts on the whole situation, saying, “Firstly, whatever your position may be, big or small, it gives you no right to disrespect anyone. Secondly, just because we women are in male-dominated fields gives you no right to assume that you can get away with almost anything and that we will not take a stand for ourselves. Thirdly, we as a fraternity put in a lot of effort to make our fans happy. And such people with their theatrics are mostly trying to paint us black. I don’t know; maybe it does something for their ego. But promoters/organizers need to step up and make sure such clowns don’t ruin the events and the experience for the fans and the artists.”


    The Parwaaz Hai Junoon actress also called out the media for spreading false claims, saying “Fourthly, I understand it’s a juicy story that a female artist left a show or misbehaved, but it would be really nice if media houses showed some responsibility with their journalism and stopped putting allegations on us as artists without getting their facts straight.”


     Hania Aamir ended her message with an apology to her fans saying, “Last but not least, I would like to apologize to every single one of you who came. And I dearly love every single one of you. I am sorry things had to end this way. Just have to get through with the bad days, I guess.”


    Fellow celebrities stood by Hania and called out the organizer’s behavior.


    Anoushey Ashraf wrote on Instagram: “No room for disrespect and abuse for anyone. Artists are our pride and assets. Am sorry you had to experience this @haniaheofficial at the end of the day, people show their own upbringing and mindset when they decide to disrespect a woman (and many a times ones from media).
    Shame on whoever this man is, shouldn’t be allowed to organise/attend any events if he can’t conduct himself with decency.”

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    Maya Ali also voiced her disappointment, stating:  “Disrespect is unacceptable at any cost or under any circumstances. I am so proud of you @haniaheheofficial and @maidaazmat for handling this situation with such grace. It’s truly disappointing that some individuals failed to show respect to our Pakistani stars and their teams.”

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    Yashma Gill shared her support saying, “Like always, immense respect for @haniaheheofficial and @maidaazmat for handling the situation not only professionally but also with bravery. There’s no place for disrespect in this or any industry/workplace.”

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  • Pakistani stars light up Christmas 2024 with festive cheer

    Pakistani stars light up Christmas 2024 with festive cheer

    The holiday season is in full swing, and Pakistani celebrities are celebrating Christmas 2024 with joy. This day is extra special in Pakistan as it also marks the birthday of the nation’s founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. While the Christian community celebrates Christmas, the entire country comes together to honor this special day.


    Celebrities in the Christmas Spirit


    Many Pakistani stars have embraced Christmas spirit, celebrating with their families and friends. Some celebrities are even on vacation, enjoying the festive season in different countries. Here are some wonderful moments of Pakistani celebrities celebrating Christmas 2024:


    Saboor Aly: The beloved actress shared cozy pictures with her friends and husband Ali Ansari, surrounded by Christmas decorations and a beautifully lit tree.


    Minal Khan: The talented actress posted heartwarming photos with her husband Muneeb Butt and their family, enjoying a festive dinner together.


    Javeria Abbasi: The versatile actress celebrated with her loved ones, sharing joyful moments and holiday treats.    

    Yashma Gill: The popular actress celebrated Christmas with her friends Amar Khan and Sidra Niazi, sharing fun moments and festive cheer.

    Mariyam Nafees: The beautiful actress is enjoying a snowy Christmas in London with her husband Amaan Ahmed, sharing stunning winter wonderland photos.

                           
    The festive cheer is contagious, and it’s wonderful to see how Pakistani celebrities are making the most of this joyful time. Whether at home or abroad, they spread love and happiness.

  • Google Wallet is coming to Pakistan

    Google Wallet is coming to Pakistan

    Internet giant Google has announced that its digital payment system Google Wallet will be introduced in 16 more countries including Pakistan.

    Google Wallet is already available in dozens of countries. Now the company has announced that its facilities will be launched in 16 more countries, including Pakistan, Egypt, Venezuela, Tajikistan, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Monaco and Kosovo, between December 2024 and January 2025.

    Google Wallet will be launched in Pakistan in January of next month.

    Google Wallet is a digital payment and document storage system under which users can pay and receive money by linking their credit and debit cards to their accounts.

    The aforementioned system and application are considered the most secure. The company claims that the information stored in Google Wallet is encrypted and is not available to any other person.

    Google Wallet is actually a digital wallet or purse in which each user can also store different cards and documents.

    According to the company, payments made through Google Wallet are encrypted, and each purchase is sent a unique code to use the wallet and process payment information.

    In Google Wallet, users can store bank cards, boarding passes, tickets, and other digital passes like their wallets. The app also uses encryption and device security features to ensure data protection.