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  • Pakistan hits lowest score in decade on Corruption Index 2022

    Pakistan hits lowest score in decade on Corruption Index 2022

    Pakistan has fallen to its lowest score in a decade on the Corruptions Perception Index (CPI), Transparency International has revealed on Tuesday in its annual report.

    The country now ranks at 140 out of 180 total countries on the list.

    In its report, Transparency has written that, “Pakistan too has continued its statistically significant downward trend, this year hitting its lowest score since 2012 at just 27 points amidst ongoing political turmoil.”

    In 2021, Pakistan’s corruption score stood at 28 while in 2020, it was at 31, placing the country at 124 out of 180 countries.

    CPI ranks countries and territories based on perceived levels of corruption and malpractices in the public sector. Denmark holds the number 1 spot as the least corrupt country with a score of 90 while New Zealand and Finland jointly hold the second spot with a score of 87. With 84, Norway rounds up the top three positions.

    The country now ranks at 140 out of 180 total countries on the list.

    In its report, Transparency has written that, “Pakistan too has continued its statistically significant downward trend, this year hitting its lowest score since 2012 at just 27 points amidst ongoing political turmoil.”

    In 2021, Pakistan’s corruption score stood at 28 while in 2020, it was at 31, placing the country at 124 out of 180 countries.

    CPI ranks countries and territories based on perceived levels of corruption and malpractices in the public sector. Denmark holds the number 1 spot as the least corrupt country with a score of 90 while New Zealand and Finland jointly hold the second spot with a score of 87. With 84, Norway rounds up the top three positions.

  • Shaheen Shah Afridi turns designer for this year’s PSL

    Shaheen Shah Afridi turns designer for this year’s PSL

    Shaheen Shah Afridi, the captain of Lahore Qalandars, will design his team’s uniforms for the upcoming eighth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
    The team captain will create this year’s uniforms, Atif Rana has said in a video that the Qalandars uploaded on their official social media accounts.

    Shaheen, who guided the team to its maiden championship win last season, is also the Lahore Qalandars’ captain this year.
    “Shaheen is designing the best kit, just like he takes wickets,” Atif Rana said, adding that the fast bowler’s kit design will blow everyone away. He hoped fans will like the new kit design.
    It is important to note that the grand opening ceremony for the eighth PSL season will take place at the Multan Cricket Stadium on February 13.
    Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans, who competed against each other in the season seven championship game last year, will square off in the opening game of the edition.

  • HRCP expresses concern over ‘Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act 2023’

    HRCP expresses concern over ‘Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act 2023’

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed its “deep concern” over the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act 2023, which was passed unanimously on January 17 in the National Assembly. While the stated aim of this bill is to curb sectarianism, HRCP believes it is likely to exacerbate the persecution of Pakistan’s beleaguered religious minorities and minority sects.


    The National Assembly unanimously passed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill on Tuesday, aimed at increasing punishment for disrespect of Ummahatul Momineen, Ahl-e-Bait, Khulfa-e-Rashideen and Sahaba-e-Kiram.


    “The proposed legislation increases the punishment for using derogatory remarks against holy persons—including the Prophet (PBUH)’s family, wives and companions, and the four caliphs—from three years with a fine to imprisonment for life ‘which will not be less than ten years’. The bill also makes the offence non-bailable, thereby directly violating the constitutionally guaranteed right to personal liberty under Article 9,” read the press release from the human rights watchdog.


    “Given Pakistan’s troubled record of the misuse of such laws, these amendments are likely to be weaponised disproportionately against religious minorities and sects, resulting in false FIRs, harassment and persecution. Moreover, increasing the penalty for alleged blasphemy will aggravate misuse of the law to settle personal vendettas, as is often the case with blasphemy allegations,” it added.


    “At a time when civil society has been calling for amendments to these laws to prevent their abuse, strengthening this punishment will do the exact opposite.”

  • Youngest microsoft-certified engineer accused of murdering two people in KP

    Youngest microsoft-certified engineer accused of murdering two people in KP

    A Microsoft-certified software engineer, who broke multiple records in 2009, has been charged with two murders over a land dispute in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).


    At the Cantt police station in Qayyumabad, DI Khan, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed on Monday against Bilal Iqabl.


    As per SHO Muhammad Saleem the family of the software engineer was involved in a dispute over a residential plot, located in the Qayyumabad area of DI Khan.
    He further noted that a complaint was filed against him by Muhammad Sajid, whose father was allegedly shot dead working at a construction site.

    Babar also shot at other on-site workers, killing two of them, including Muhammad Sajid’s father. He fled the scene of the incident with his mother and sister.
    According to the details, Babar Iqbal participated in the examination for Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) and set a world record by obtaining 80 percent marks in it. He is the youngest world record holder in the computer field and has also qualified for the trainers’ program

  • Shaadi season hai bhai: Desi Twitter reacts with hilarious tweets as wedding season booms

    Shaadi season hai bhai: Desi Twitter reacts with hilarious tweets as wedding season booms

    Ah, Decemberistan. The month of cold winters, hot cups of coffee, and shuddering in your paper-thin lengha as you attend another qawalli night of the one million wedding events taking over Pakistan.

    There is no December without the hilarious shenanagins of wedding season and the amount of ridiculous activities that take place along with it. Twitter was moved to fits of laughter when a video trended last night of a huge, rug made with notes of Rs 100 and 50 denomination. The rug was spread all over the shadi hall.

    https://twitter.com/saihan_io/status/1609845399367344128?s=20&t=yIuFVHKhm9fl8D-M6ZvR9A

    Soon, people brought in other instances of hilarious things they have noticed at shaadi events

    Some people added their own hilarious observations of how weddings today, especially arranged dances, were conducted

    https://twitter.com/AidaahSheikhh/status/1607472134372167680?s=20&t=1aHl2cHJXNScnh76mZmpuw
    https://twitter.com/syedapakeeza12/status/1608463686104158209?s=20&t=1aHl2cHJXNScnh76mZmpuw
  • ‘Shut up…I’m not your servant’: Indian air hostess hits back at passenger

    ‘Shut up…I’m not your servant’: Indian air hostess hits back at passenger

    A a viral video from an Indian flight went viral which showed a passenger calling a cabin crew member his “servant” amidst a high-pitched argument. 

    The flight was going from Turkey to India.

    “You are pointing finger at me and yelling at me. My crew is crying because of you. Please try to understand, there is a cart and counted meals are uplifted (on the plane). We can only serve what your boarding,” she is heard saying in the video.

    To this the man asks why she is “yelling” at him. “Because you are yelling on us,” she answers.

    At one point, the passenger said “why are you yelling? Shut up” to the air-hostess, who also asks the former to “shut up.”

     “I am peacefully listening to you with all due respect, but you have to respect the crew as well,” the air hostess says.

    “We are aware of the incident that took place on flight 6E 12 from Istanbul to Delhi on December 16, 2022… IndiGo is cognizant of the needs of its customers and it is our constant endeavor to provide a courteous and hassle-free experience to our customers. We are looking into the incident and would like to assure that customers’ comfort has always been our top priority. We are committed to providing the best experience at all times,” said the airline in a statement.

  • Andrew Flintoff airlifted to hospital after accident while filming Top Gear

    Andrew Flintoff airlifted to hospital after accident while filming Top Gear

    Former English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was immediately taken to the hospital via helicopter on Tuesday after injuring himself in an accident while filming the famous BBC TV show ‘Top Gear’.

    The 45 years old cricketing star was given first aid at the scene while filming an episode of Top Gear, BBC’s famous show about automobiles.
    BBC has stated that his injuries are not life-threatening.

    The incident happened at the program’s test track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, south of London.


    Flintoff, a celebrated all-rounder better known as “Freddie”, played 79 Tests for England before retiring from cricket aged 32.
    “Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this morning (Tuesday) with crew medics attending the scene immediately,” a BBC spokesperson said, according to the BBC and Sky


    “He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course.”

    During his cricket career, Flintoff played a pivotal role in England winning the Ashes in 2005 and 2009.

  • ‘Na hamara koyi favourite hai, na hum kisi ke khilaaf hain’: Election commissioner

    ‘Na hamara koyi favourite hai, na hum kisi ke khilaaf hain’: Election commissioner

    Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja has said that his commission is not against or in favour of any political entity.

    At ‘National Voter’s Day’, an event organised by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the chief said: “Na hamara koyi favourite hai, na hum kisi ke khilaaf hain” (Neither do we have any favourites nor are we against anyone).

    Raja said that the ECP had already informed the Punjab government that the commission would make use of previous laws under Article 283 of the Constitution if the administration attempted to amend the local government law again.

    He said local government elections in Punjab will take place in the last week of April and emphasised the urgency of those polls.

    Moreover, the ECP chief was of the view that the commission has faced “unwarranted criticism” for allegedly opposing the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and balloting rights for overseas Pakistanis.

    “I challenge all critics to show one instance where the ECP opposed electronic voting machines or voting rights for overseas Pakistanis. However, there should be a procedure in place,” he said.

    He underlined that the commission is in support of the use of technology in elections, but said it must be backed by all stakeholders.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, on multiple occasions, called out the commission for allegedly scuttling the introduction of EVMs in support of his political rivals.

  • 42 crore committee con artist wants police to protect her from victims

    42 crore committee con artist wants police to protect her from victims

    Social media platforms are brimming with news about Sidra Humaid, a Karachi based woman accused of stealing Rs.420 million through committee system.

    Social media users mostly have sympathy for Sidra’s victims, who are contemplating serious action against her.

    Sidra also publicly confessed of messing up the committees, writing on Facebook, “I have really messed up my committees and now I am practically bankrupt and have no means to pay off my committees.”

    How did she do it?

    According to estimates computed by her victims, Sidra reportedly managed 117 WhatsApp groups with hundreds of members for the purpose of collecting money in ‘committees’. She allegedly received the first committee from the money pooled in each group.

    One Facebook user wrote, ” A women named Sidra Humaid was handling over 100 committees 42 crore is the total amount. And she has announced she is bankrupt Cause people backed out after taking their first slots. She is not providing any details any legal document or any trail that proves where the money went. She took first slots in so many of the cycles.”

    Committees are also known as Group Savings. A group of people come together and deposit a fixed amount each month into a common fund for a pre-determined period of time. Each member accesses the pool in a month, decided amongst the group members.

    On Tuesday, Sidra moved an application before the additional sessions Judge-X (East) under Sections 22-A and 22-B of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), seeking directives to the police to provide her protection from citizens who have accused her of robbing them in the name of the committees.

    Here is how Twitter is reacting to the scam and their experience of committee system and discussing whether they are a good idea.

    https://twitter.com/doctorwhothefuc/status/1599373225682558976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1599373225682558976%7Ctwgr%5E9e7ee9167be0270f25e058d8138ccee6c9570008%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.dawn.com%2Fnews%2F1191256

    https://twitter.com/ak_niaazi/status/1599371687933317120
    https://twitter.com/superkhadijaman/status/1598993713703051264

  • Pakistan’s trade deficit increases by 23% as exports decline

    Pakistan’s trade deficit increases by 23% as exports decline

    According to the most recent data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Pakistan’s trade deficit for the month of November 2022 came in at $2.88 billion, up from $2.33 billion in October.

    This represents a 23.59 per cent increase month over month, while the deficit decreased 42.46 per cent year over year from $4.99 billion during the same period in 2017.

    The decrease in the trade imbalance is the result of a decrease in imports, as the import bill for the month of November was $5.25 billion, up 11.34 per cent month over month and down 33.60 per cent year over year.

    In the meantime, exports saw a minor dip of 0.63 per cent MoM to $2.37 billion from $2.38 billion in October 2022. In contrast, on an annual basis, exports decreased by 18.34 per cent from $2.9 billion in November 2021.

    Exports from Pakistan in terms of Rupees totaled Rs528 billion in November 2022 as opposed to Rs525.83 billion in October 2022 and Rs502 billion in November 2021, representing an increase of 0.41 per cent MoM and 5.18 per cent over the same period in the previous year.

    Similarly, imports in November 2022 rose by 12.47 per cent MoM to Rs1.17 trillion from Rs1.04 trillion in October 2022, while on an annual basis, imports fell by 14.49 per cent from Rs1.37 trillion in November 2021.

    The overall trade deficit for 5MFY23 was $14.41 billion, which was a reduction of 30.14 per cent YoY from the deficit experienced during the same time period in 2012.