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Tag: Pakistan

  • Delhi University to remove chapter about Alama Iqbal from political science textbooks

    A chapter about Allama Iqbal in a book recommended for Political Science syllabus has been removed by Delhi University, after a discussion at the Academic Council meeting.

    According to Indian news organization ANI, the Vice Chancellor, Yogesh Singh, said that those who laid the foundation to break India should not be taught to students:

    “Iqbal wrote songs supporting the ‘Muslim League’ and the ‘Pakistan Movement’. Iqbal was the first to raise the idea of the partition of India and the establishment of Pakistan and said that instead of teaching about such people, we should study our national heroes.”

    The right-wing student movement Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has welcomed the motion, saying Iqbal was a ‘fanatic theological scholar’ who was responsible for the partition of India.

    “Delhi University academic council decided to scrap fanatic theological scholar Mohd Iqbal from DU’s political science syllabus. It was previously included in BA’s sixth-semester paper titled ‘Modern Indian political thought. Mohammad Iqbal is called the ‘philosophical father of Pakistan’. He was the key player in establishing Jinnah as a leader in Muslim League. Mohammad Iqbal is as responsible for India’s partition as Mohammad Ali Jinnah is.”

  • Honda Pakistan reports 90% drop in profits, reflecting struggling state of auto industry

    Honda Pakistan reports 90% drop in profits, reflecting struggling state of auto industry

    Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan Limited (HACPL), one of the leading car manufacturers in the country, reported a significant decline of 90 per cent in its annual net profit due to rising expenses, reflecting the struggling state of the auto industry and the country’s economy.

    The company’s net profit for the fiscal year ending on March 31 was reported to be Rs260.141 million, a sharp decrease from Rs2.509 billion in the previous year.

    Consequently, the company did not distribute any dividends for that period. Earnings per share also witnessed a decline, coming in at Rs1.82/share compared to Rs17.58/share in the previous year.

    Honda Atlas Cars stated that its revenue for the year dropped to Rs95.087 billion, down from Rs108.047 billion the previous year. The cost of sales remained relatively stable at Rs87.926 billion compared to Rs102.515 billion during the same period last year. On the other hand, the company’s other income increased to Rs2.321 billion, compared to Rs2.004 billion in the previous year.

    However, the company experienced a surge in other expenses, which rose to Rs4.929 billion from Rs984.045 million, adversely impacting profit margins.

    Arif Habib Ltd, a brokerage firm, attributed the significant decline in profit to lower volumetric sales and increased finance costs, which rose by 6.5 times on a year-on-year basis. The auto industry, which heavily relies on imports, has been severely affected by the country’s economic conditions.

    Honda was among the manufacturers that had announced plant closures. However, on May 16, it was reported that Honda Atlas Cars planned to resume production activities after a months-long halt. The decision was made following an improvement in the accessibility of trade finance facilities for the supply chain.

    The government of Pakistan, facing low foreign exchange reserves, implemented stringent measures, including restrictions on letters of credit (LCs) for the import of completely knocked down (CKD) units and raw materials used by the auto industry.

    According to Geo, Honda stated that with the company’s consistent efforts and the slight improvement in trade finance accessibility, they are now preparing to gradually resume production in the coming weeks.

    Since March 9, the company had suspended its production activities. The auto industry has encountered significant setbacks due to non-production days, reduced consumer affordability resulting from higher interest rates and vehicle prices, currency devaluation, and escalating petrol prices. These plant shutdowns have also led to layoffs in the industry.

  • ‘Then stop singing Urdu ghazals solely’: Twitter is puzzled at Arooj Aftab’s problem with being called an ‘Urdu’ singer

    Arooj Aftab has everyone in a pickle with a tweet where she asked her followers to stop associating her with Pakistani music, or calling her an ‘Urdu singer’.

    The Grammy award winning singer had tweeted:

    “Pakistani singer arooj aftab…… Urdu singer arooj aftab….. arooj Aftab’s amazing Urdu singing… like. It’s fine I guess? But can a person of color musician ever just get to be without this tag to whatever someone else is presuming is our root or heritage.”

    Twitter users were confused by this because as some pointed out, she had built up fame in Western countries using Urdu ghazals like ‘Mohabbat’.

    One user had written:

    “Nobody calls you an urdu singer in pakistan. they call you that in majority english speaking countries, where your claim to fame was an urdu ghazal. your lyrics didn’t come to that audience naturally. they recognize you geographically. we all do that with foreign language music.”

    https://twitter.com/grey_carnations/status/1662426379726606340?s=20

    But Aftab had to clarify in her next tweets that she was not being anti-Pakistani, nor was she criticising her own roots, but her tweets were addressing the Western media who push her into a georgraphical context, which makes it easier for her to be gate-kept.

    “Oh f***k this tweet really awakened the “she’s anti Pakistani!!!” sentiment. Great. I’m not talking about erasing or disowning roots and heritage. while touring eu/uk at the moment, I feel like pushing back on being ONLY allowed to exist in a geographic and linguistic context. This makes it easy for them to other-ize, exclude us and overlook what is achieved, and to gate keep/ glass wall what is further achievable.”

  • At least 9 killed after avalanche hits Gilgit Baltistan’s Astore region

    At least 9 killed after avalanche hits Gilgit Baltistan’s Astore region

    At least 9 people were killed and 26 were injured in an avalanche in the Astore district of Gilgit Baltistan on Saturday.

    The accident occurred in the Shounter Top area of the district.

    Local police have confirmed the death toll while also expressing concerns that the number of victims could rise as rescue operations go on. Many individuals are still believed to be buried under the debris.

    Locals gathered to provide support and aid to those affected by the disaster.

    Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan Khalid Khurshid Khan expressed sorrow over the fatalities and has ordered complete rescue operations.

  • Coca-Cola, with an alliance of Beverage Manufacturers in Pakistan, appeal to the Government for a fair and broad-based tax regime and an immediate withdrawal of unprecedented Federal Excise Duty

    Coca-Cola, with an alliance of Beverage Manufacturers in Pakistan, appeal to the Government for a fair and broad-based tax regime and an immediate withdrawal of unprecedented Federal Excise Duty

    Pakistan’s aerated beverage industry is grappling with a significant decline in volume, estimated at 35% to 40%, following the introduction of a 7% Federal Excise Duty (FED) in the February 2023 mini-budget. This latest tax increase has pushed the total FED on the industry to an unsustainable 20%, marking a staggering 50% surge from the previous rate of 13%. The repercussions are reverberating throughout the manufacturing chain, with an expected loss of thousands of jobs. If these regulatory challenges persist, businesses may be compelled to consider shutting down their operations, resulting in a further blow to government revenues, estimated at an annual loss of PKR 6-8 billion in FED collection.

    The beverage industry in Pakistan is already burdened with one of the highest tax rates globally, with a 20% FED that surpasses the average levy imposed on the food and beverage sector. Despite these challenges, the aerated beverage industry has stepped up as a key investor, contributing an estimated $200 million to bolster the country’s foreign exchange reserves during a time of Forex shortage. However, the recent tax measures have hindered the government’s revenue collections from this industry, leaving a negative impact.

    According to the Half-Year Report for 2022-2023 published by the State Bank Board of Directors, several sectors, including the beverage industry, have experienced negative growth. From the first half of the fiscal year 2022 to the same period in 2023, the beverage industry alone has contracted from 5% to a significant negative growth rate of -8.3%.

    The adverse economic consequences resulting from these measures have garnered attention from trade bodies such as the Pakistan Business Council, American Business Council, and various Chambers of Commerce. These associations recently presented their recommendations to Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Chairman and Convener of the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue. In a consultative session held on May 23, 2023, Coca-Cola, representing the industry, voiced concerns regarding the discriminatory nature of the tax applied in February 2023. The tax does not consider per-capita sugar consumption, resulting in an unfair burden on the beverage industry, which only accounts for approximately 6% of the country’s sugar consumption.

    The beverage sector, which operates transparently and in compliance with regulations, now urges the government to reassess its taxation policy. Specifically, the industry is calling for the immediate withdrawal of the 7% tax introduced in the mini-budget, as it was initially presented as a temporary, stop-gap measure. The industry maintains that a fair and broad-based tax regime would not only alleviate the burden on the beverage industry but also contribute to Pakistan’s economic stability and foster growth.

    The appeals made by Coca-Cola and other beverage manufacturers underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive review of the taxation policy affecting the industry. Striking a balance between tax obligations and recognizing the substantial investments made by these companies is vital to creating a conducive business environment and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Pakistan’s beverage sector.

  • Parents arrested for starving 10-year-old son

    A couple in Georgia have been arrested for starving their ten-year-old son.


    Tyler and Krista Schindley were taken into custody and are being held in jail after a judge denied them bail.


    Their 10-year-old son was found searching for food in their neighbourhood, leading to his parents’ arrest.


    They boy weighed just 36 pounds.
    “We aren’t releasing any photos of this child for obvious reasons, but I will tell you, the photos are absolutely horrible, and anybody with a human heart who looks at them should be shaken to their core,” District Attorney Marie Broder said.

    She added: “It is my true belief that had he not gotten out of the home, this case would be a very different one.”

    According to an arrest affidavit, the couple purposefully denied the youngster food and allegedly kept him sequestered in his bedroom without access to lighting, toilet paper or human contact.

  • ‘Stop body shaming’: Twitter gets ugly over politics

    As the political crisis in the country continues, social media has been set ablaze with feuds between users and public figures. One such recent altercation took place between Iffat Omar and Sara Taseer.

    Taseer, who has been a staunch supporter of Imran Khan, had tweeted in favor of the former cricket player by asking him to pack his bags and escape the country to avoid her late father Salmaan Taseer’s fate.

    However, actress and former model Iffat Omar, who has publicly condemned Imran Khan on social media, mocked the tweet.

    To which Taseer responded by saying

    “Someone get this C grade “has been” model @OmarIffat off my case. May the excessive lip filler causing her mouth to look like a giant balloon help her to float off into the sunset, far away from civilised society where she doesn’t belong.”

    Iffat Omar retorted:

    “Was not taking to u ugly woman just asked your mad leader to listen to pathetic woman like u so chill and lay of, criticizing my lips you have some nerves woman. I mean just look at u.”

    Twitter users criticised the response to Omar as the incorrect way to respond to someone whose political beliefs are different from yours.

    https://twitter.com/MehroozW/status/1661974722744307712?s=20
    https://twitter.com/Bubbleskhanum/status/1661801548249169920?s=20
  • Army ahead after winning most gold medals at National Games 2023

    Army ahead after winning most gold medals at National Games 2023

    Pakistan Army has won most gold in the ongoing 34th National Games in Quetta.

    Army is on the top after winning most gold medals. They have won 101 gold medals, 65 silver medals and 29 bronze medals.

    Wapda is on the second spot as they bagged 54 golds, 50 silvers and 43 bronze medals.
    Navy’s team stands third in a row as they have 89 total medals they have won 26 gold medals, 27 silver medals and 36 bronze medals.

    Moreover other teams like Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Higher Education Commission (HEC) are also in the race for gold.

    Pakistan Army has maintained its dominance in the ongoing 34th National Games as they won the National Games shooting competition.

    Army completely dominated the shooting competition as they bagged 17 gold, 14 silver and five bronze medals.

  • Quratulain Baloch, Hassan and Roshaan set to release music video for ‘Bandhan’

    After the success of ‘Duur Se’, pop songwriting duo Hassan and Roshaan are set to release the video of their song ‘Bandhaan’ which features Quratulain Baloch. The video is set to release today, and will be directed by Saad Yratta from Yratta Media, who was also the director of ‘Sukoon’ featuring Shae Gill.

    Speaking on the collaboration with the ‘Humsafar’ star, Hassan Sheikh from the singing duo said:

    “We are thrilled about this collaboration with Quratulain Balouch, whose unique sound has been a true inspiration to us. Sharing the screen with her is an exhilarating experience.”

    Yratta, who had previously been a wedding cinematographer, expressed his excitement about the project, stating:

    “It is always fascinating to witness how people interpret visuals and reflect ongoing real-world conversations through abstract works of art. Similar to our previous collaboration, this video will be open to interpretation, allowing the artists to truly shine through.”

    The music video will also feature Ahmed Randhawa, who is known for his role as Behram in the Hum TV drama ‘Agar’, as well as the actor and model Waqar Ali Zulfiqar, who starred in Ali Sethi’s ‘Chandni Raat’ music video.
    An ensemble of performers from the LUMS Dance Society, will also be gracing their pressence in the video.

  • World Bank commits $213 million for Balochistan’s flood recovery and climate resilience

    World Bank commits $213 million for Balochistan’s flood recovery and climate resilience

    The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank has granted $213 million in funding to Balochistan for the purpose of improving livelihoods, essential services, and risk protection in communities that were affected by the devastating floods in 2022.

    This financial assistance is part of a larger program established in collaboration with the government to address the aftermath of the floods and build a climate-resilient Pakistan.

    Najy Benhassine, the World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, expressed the organization’s commitment to closely cooperate with the Government of Balochistan in supporting the affected communities. The World Bank aims to provide livelihood support and rehabilitate irrigation and flood protection infrastructure.

    These efforts will not only restore the livelihoods of the affected population but also enhance their resilience to potential future climate-related disasters and natural hazards. The project aligns with the comprehensive package of post-flood rehabilitation and resilient reconstruction program agreed upon with the authorities.

    The floods of the previous year were a result of record monsoon rains in the southern and southwestern regions of Pakistan, compounded by glacial melt in the northern areas. The calamity affected nearly 33 million people in the country, which has a population of 220 million. Tragically, the floods claimed over 1,700 lives and caused substantial damage to homes, crops, bridges, roads, and livestock.

    The Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project (IFRAP) outlined by the World Bank will provide housing reconstruction grants to approximately 35,100 homeowners. It will also focus on restoring essential services by rehabilitating damaged community infrastructure and facilities, such as water supply systems, irrigation networks, roads, and community facilities.

    Balochistan, with its geographical location, socioeconomic background, and vulnerability to climate change, faces significant risks from natural disasters. Yoro Sidibe, a Senior Water Specialist at the World Bank, emphasized that the project aims to provide economic opportunities to the affected communities while ensuring social inclusion and participation. Additionally, it will enhance institutional capacity for preparedness and response to future disasters.

    The World Bank expects that the Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project will benefit approximately 2.7 million people in selected communities across Balochistan’s calamity-declared districts. The project’s objectives include the restoration of degraded watersheds and the strengthening of institutional capacity at both the provincial and local levels.