Author: Rashid Mehmood

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has suffered another financial setback as 13 of its bank accounts were frozen due to non-payment of Federal Excise Duty (FED) amounting to Rs8 billion. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) took this action and also decided to register a first information report (FIR) against PIA officials for failing to submit the FED. This incident comes just weeks after the airline’s bank accounts were previously frozen on July 27, over similar issues of tax non-payment. However, the accounts were restored the following day after negotiations between the FBR and PIA. Despite the restoration of the accounts,…

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has agreed to accelerate the process of redrawing electoral seats, with the objective of completing it by 30 November 2023. The action is problematic because it violates the Constitution, which mandates that elections must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the assembly. However, the ECP is attempting to assuage worries about more election delays. The ECP indicated in a recent news release that it is reducing the delimitation timeline in order to hold elections as soon as feasible. It further said that the revised deadline will be taken into account while…

Imran Khan has been granted permission to speak with his sons via telephone while he is on a 14-day judicial remand in Attock Jail. This decision was made by a newly established court under the Official Secrets Act. Khan, who is currently detained in connection with a cipher case, had submitted a petition requesting the ability to communicate with his sons, Qasim and Suleman, over the phone. The petition was approved by Special Court Judge Abul Hasnat Mohammad Zulqarnain, who issued directives to the jail superintendent to facilitate the telephonic contact between Khan and his sons. This development comes a…

Hareem Shah has issued a warning about releasing video content involving Jahangir Tareen, the former leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). This comes as part of her ongoing campaign targeting politicians with alleged video and audio clips. Shah, who has amassed millions of followers across various social media platforms, is recognized as a significant influencer in the digital realm. She has previously shared purported clips of ex-Prime Minister Shehbaz and a woman claiming to be Captain Safdar, causing quite a stir on social media. Her latest target is the chief of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, Jahangir Tareen. In a recent social media…

The provincial government of Sindh has announced that Friday, 1st September 2023, will be observed as a public holiday. This declaration is in honor of the Urs of the esteemed Sufi saint, poet, and scholar, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. As per the official notification, this public holiday will apply to all offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, and local councils under the administrative control of the Sindh Government. However, essential services are exempted from this directive. Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai holds a revered place in the hearts of many for his profound contributions to Sufi literature and philosophy. His Urs…

The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has announced the e-Rozgaar Training Program 2023. This initiative comes in response to the growing popularity of freelancing, which has seen individuals earn substantial income in recent years. The e-Rozgaar program is designed to equip students with in-demand digital skills through a comprehensive three-month training course. The curriculum covers a wide range of subjects including IT technical courses, digital marketing, and creative designing. The IT technical courses include Web Development Basics, HTML & CSS, MYSQL, SQL QUERIES, PHP & MYSQL for dynamic websites, and WordPress Basics. Students will also learn how to build websites…

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Lahore has stated that market hours have been extended by one hour. All markets, including shopping malls, bakeries, and confectioneries, will now remain open until 11 p.m. The previous closing hour was 10 p.m. This expansion also includes restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, and hotels, allowing them to serve clients until the newly designated closing hour. It is important to note, however, that certain critical services, such as medical stores, gas stations, and dairy shops, are not restricted by these time limitations and can operate beyond the specified hours. Last month, the then-federal government revealed intentions…

Hareem Shah, a prominent Pakistani TikToker and digital influencer, has once again found herself in the spotlight for controversial reasons. This time, she has released a private video allegedly featuring former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The video, which has stirred up quite a storm, shows a man, claimed by Hareem to be the PML-N president, in the company of a woman at what seems to be a restaurant. Hareem Shah, who boasts millions of followers across various social media platforms, alleges that the woman in the viral clip is Shehbaz Sharif’s girlfriend. The woman’s face was initially blurred using an…

Pakistan Railways has announced a ten percent increase in fares for all its trains. This fare adjustment, which affects all passenger and shuttle train coaches, was officially communicated through a notification issued by the railways. The new fare structure is set to take effect from August 17. As part of this revision, the fare for the Karachi to Shikarpur route has been raised by Rs200, bringing the total cost to Rs1,600. Similarly, the ticket price for travel from Karachi to Mehr has seen an increase of Rs100, making the new fare Rs1,400. This decision comes on the heels of a…

The caretaker government has declared a significant increase in the prices of petroleum products. This adjustment has led to record-breaking prices for both petrol and high-speed diesel. The Finance Division issued a notification detailing the revised prices. According to this announcement, the price of petrol has seen an increase of Rs. 17.50 per liter, while high-speed diesel has experienced a hike of Rs. 20 per liter. This decision comes in response to the global market trends, where petroleum prices have been on the rise over the last two weeks. Consequently, consumer prices in Pakistan have been adjusted to reflect these…

The LPG Association Chairman Irfan Khokar confirmed that the price of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) in Pakistan has seen an increase of Rs10 per kilogram. This hike brings the per kg price of LPG to a staggering Rs 220. Khokar attributed this surge to the upward trend in the international market where the price of LPG has risen by $92, reaching $556 per metric ton. This global increase has inevitably impacted local prices, leading to a significant rise in the cost of LPG in Pakistan. The repercussions of this price hike are not limited to the per kg cost. The…

ISLAMABAD – Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Umar Ata Bandial, has underscored the importance of transparency in the delimitation of electoral constituencies. The Chief Justice made these remarks while presiding over a two-member bench hearing petitions related to the delimitations of provincial constituencies PS 7, 8, and 9 in Shikarpur. These constituencies had previously been the subject of legal disputes in the apex court in 2018. The Chief Justice emphasized that the delimitation process is a matter of significant public interest and has been a topic of discussion in the highest court on numerous occasions. “The Election Commission should ensure…

In a heartwarming tribute to Pakistan’s Independence Day, Google has unveiled a special doodle artwork. The doodle showcases the Indus river dolphin, a toothed whale species endemic to Pakistan and known as the bhulan in Urdu and Sindhi. This endangered species is a rare sight along the coasts of Pakistan, making its appearance in the doodle even more significant. Pakistan celebrated its Independence Day with fervor and patriotic enthusiasm. Google acknowledged the historical significance of this day. It stated, “On this day in 1947, Pakistan gained its independence and became a sovereign nation after almost 200 years of British occupancy.”…

Hina Butt was harassed on the streets of London. The incident occurred while she was walking with her son. Hine Butt alleged that supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were responsible for the harassment. She claimed they not only shouted slogans at her but also threw bottles. A video clip shared by Butt online, albeit without audio, shows the harassment and heckling incident. In the video, Butt can be seen walking on London streets with her son when they were accosted by the alleged PTI supporters. Further clips circulating online show the political leader being greeted with boos and hisses. In…

ISLAMABAD – A pre-recorded video message from former Prime Minister Imran Khan has gone viral, stirring up public sentiment weeks after his arrest on corruption charges. The two-minute clip surfaced just in time for Pakistan’s Independence Day, and it has since been widely shared across various social media platforms. In the video, Khan reminisces about the visions of Quaid e Azam and Allama Iqbal, two of Pakistan’s most revered leaders. He speaks of their dreams for a prosperous Pakistan and how they pushed boundaries to secure freedom for the Muslims of the subcontinent. Khan draws parallels between the formation of…