Author: Rashid Mehmood

The Sindh Government has announced a ban on pillion riding on motorcycles for two days during the upcoming week. The prohibition will be in effect on the 9th and 10th of Muharram, which falls on Friday, July 28, and Saturday, July 29. The Sindh Home Department has issued an official notification regarding this ban, which applies to all districts within the province. The ban stipulates that motorcycles cannot carry passengers during the specified dates. However, certain groups are exempted from this restriction. Women, children, disabled individuals, and senior citizens will not be affected by the ban and can continue to…

The Passport Department of Pakistan has launched an e-Services portal to facilitate the renewal of machine-readable passports. This user-friendly platform is accessible to all Pakistani citizens, both residing in the country and abroad. The online renewal process requires applicants to gather certain mandatory documents. These include a clear and valid digital photograph with a maximum size of 5MB, a valid National Identity Card (NIC) issued by NADRA, and a photo of the applicant’s old passport. The payment for the renewal can be made conveniently using credit or debit cards. This initiative aims to simplify the passport renewal process, making it…

The federal government has officially declared Ashura (9th and 10th Muharram) holidays. The official notification states that the 28th and 29th of July (Friday and Saturday) would be declared public holidays in honor of the 9th and 10th of Muharram. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee reported after its meeting in Quetta on Tuesday that the Muharram crescent was not seen yesterday. Youm-e-Ashur, the 10th of Muharram, will be honored across the country on Saturday, July 29th, according to the Committee. Muharram has important historical and religious importance for Muslims all over the world. It is the first month of the Islamic…

National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) of Pakistan has given its approval for an increase in electricity prices by Rs1.90 per unit. This decision was made in response to a petition filed by the Central Power Purchasing Authority (CPPA), which had initially requested a Rs2.09 hike in power tariffs. The petition was filed on behalf of power distribution companies (DISCOs). The decision to approve the price hike was reserved on July 5 and announced later. The additional charges will be reflected in the consumer bills for the month of July 2023. However, it is important to note that this increase…

PTI chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has made an impressive debut on the social media platform TikTok. Within just 24 hours of joining Khan has amassed nearly 3 million followers and his content has been viewed a staggering 200 million times. These numbers are predicted to rise even further by the end of the day. Khan’s swift rise to TikTok fame is not only reflected in his follower count and views but also in the number of likes he has received. In this short span, his two posted videos have collectively garnered almost 5 million likes, with the…

The government has announced a reduction in the average monthly sale price of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) by up to $0.1938 or 1.5 percent for July 2023. This decision was made public on Tuesday by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), which is responsible for setting the preliminary pricing of RLNG. The new rates have been set at $12.6493/mmBtu for customers of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and $13.1367/mmBtu for customers of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC). This marks a 1.5 percent decrease from the previous rate, continuing the trend of rate cuts that have been implemented…

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of Pakistan has announced that the Muharram crescent was not sighted on the expected day. Youm-e-Ashur which is observed on the 10th of Muharram will be commemorated on Saturday, July 29, throughout the nation. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar holds profound historical and religious importance for Muslims globally. The commencement of the Hijri year 1445 will be marked on this day, signifying a significant milestone in the Islamic calendar. This period is characterized by a sense of solemnity as Muslims worldwide remember the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA), the cherished grandson of…

Former Pakistani Prime Minister and chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has joined the globally popular short-video-sharing platform TikTok. This move comes in the wake of multiple legal cases against Khan following his removal from office through a no-confidence vote last year. Khan’s political career faced significant challenges after the events of May 9, when his supporters allegedly attacked military installations. This incident led to several PTI leaders distancing themselves from the party. Despite these setbacks, Khan’s decision to join TikTok has been met with an enthusiastic response from the public. Within the first day of joining the platform,…

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan recently sparked a social media frenzy when he expressed his fondness for biryani with potatoes, or “Biryani with Aaloo,” during a Twitter space session. This revelation ended a longstanding debate between Lahoris and Karachiites about whether biryani should be served with or without potatoes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DIVA Magazine Pakistan (@divamagazinepakistan) The Twitter space session, hosted by American comedian Jeremy McLellan, saw Khan reminiscing about his favorite delicacy from 40 years ago – Biryani with Aloo. As he shared his culinary preference, the internet was set ablaze with reactions,…

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted an increase in monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea, expected to affect the upper and central regions of the country starting from July 18th. The intensity of these currents is predicted to escalate on July 19th. The PMD has issued a warning about potential urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, and Lahore from July 18th to 22nd. Additionally, the heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in vulnerable areas such as Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, and hilly regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Farmers have been advised to plan their activities according to…

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has announced a new initiative to provide subsidized food to the city’s poor. The cornerstone of this initiative is the provision of roti, a staple food item, at a mere Rs2. Governor Tessori unveiled this plan during a ceremony held on Sunday, stating that the process of providing roti at such a low cost will commence in various parts of the metropolis. He emphasized that this initiative is not just a temporary measure but a mission that the government is committed to pursuing. As part of the plan, up to 300 tandoors, traditional ovens used to…

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani government has recently implemented a significant increase in the tax rates on property transactions, making it more expensive for individuals to buy or sell houses, plots, or flats. This move is expected to have a profound impact on the real estate market and the affordability of housing in the country. The cumulative tax for non-filer buyers and sellers on property sales has soared to an unprecedented 18.5 percent. This hike came into effect from July 1, with non-filer buyers now required to pay a tax of 10.5% instead of the previous 7% on property purchases. Simultaneously,…

The city of Islamabad has imposed a ban on the entry of motorcycles into the Red Zone. This restriction which is set to last until the 10th of Muharram has been implemented as a security measure during this significant period in the Islamic calendar. The Red Zone, known for its high-security profile, houses several important government buildings and embassies. The decision to prohibit motorcycles from entering this area is seen as a necessary step to ensure the safety and security of these establishments, particularly during Muharram, a time of religious observance and public processions. While the ban may cause inconvenience…

Aleeza Arshad has decided to carry forward her father’s legacy by stepping into the field of journalism. She has joined a private news channel as a reporter, the same platform where her father used to host a show on current affairs. Aleeza’s decision to pursue journalism has been warmly received by her father’s friends and colleagues, who see it as a fitting tribute to the late Arshad Sharif’s passion for investigative journalism. Arshad Sharif, a renowned journalist, tragically lost his life in late October 2022 when Kenyan police mistakenly fired at his car on the outskirts of Nairobi. The incident…

In a shocking incident that has shaken the federal capital of Pakistan, a woman was reportedly sexually assaulted near a hiking trail in Islamabad’s Margalla Hills. The victim, a resident of Sheikhupura, lodged a complaint with the Islamabad Capital Territory after allegedly being raped by a man identified as Noman. According to the victim’s account, she was enticed to the capital city under the pretense of a job opportunity. She claimed to have paid Rs80,000 to the accused, who had promised to secure her a good job. She was expecting to attend a meeting at her office in the following…