Adil Murad the son of the legendary Pakistani actor Waheed Murad expressed his reservations about the prospect of a biopic on his father. The late Waheed Murad, who captivated audiences with his charismatic performances and distinctive style, remains a celebrated figure in Pakistani cinema. Known as the ‘Chocolate Hero,’ Murad’s illustrious career spanned from 1961 until his untimely death on …

During Senate session, Senator Ali Zafar voiced strong criticism over the state of sports in Pakistan, particularly cricket. While celebrating the recent success of javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, whom he hailed as a national hero, Senator Zafar questioned the decline of other sports like hockey and squash, which were once Pakistan’s pride. Zafar lamented the downfall of cricket, saying, “Our …

Pakistan’s government has formally requested a $1.75 billion loan from commercial banks at higher interest rates as part of its efforts to meet the conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for loan approval. Finance Ministry sources revealed that officials are in talks with three major banks to secure the loan, with the possibility of long-term financing at an …

In the in the National Assembly session on Thursday chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the alarming rise in mental illness in Pakistan was highlighted. The Ministry of Health presented disturbing data revealing that over 80 million people in the country suffer from psychological problems. The ministry’s report emphasized that all major hospitals across Pakistan are equipped with psychiatric treatment facilities, …

Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, the director general of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), on Thursday provided an overview of the Pakistan Army’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations and internal accountability measures. During a briefing to the media, Chaudhry highlighted that the forces conducted over 32,000 intelligence-based operations against terrorists and their facilitators, with 4,021 operations carried out in the past month …

RIYADH: The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), a Saudi Arabian government agency financing projects in developing countries, welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with China in the future, the agency’s head has said. “Currently, we are cooperating with China through the Asian Development Bank. However, we would like to work jointly with China to expand our projects in any continent,” said …

NEW YORK: Four people were killed and nine wounded in a campus shooting at a high school in the U.S. state of Georgia on Wednesday, local authorities said. The four deceased are two students and two teachers at the Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, about 70 km north of Atlanta, Georgia’s biggest city. The shooter has been identified …

BEIJING: The ongoing 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) offers an array of side activities for foreign guests who have traveled from afar. When I opened a brochure introducing these activities, I found out that Silk Street, a landmark market in Beijing, was among the activity routes, alongside the Palace Museum, the Great Wall and other sites. …

Cloves are a useful spice that add warmth and sweetness to baked goods, sauces, meat rubs, marinades and drinks. Some people also use the dried flower buds and the leaves, stems and oil from clove trees to promote healing. Cloves are a popular herb therapy among people who use traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. The spice comes from an …

Have you ever felt like your phone was eavesdropping on your conversations, serving up eerily relevant ads shortly after discussing a particular product or topic? While suspicions of such practices have long circulated, we now have concrete evidence from a Facebook partner company. A recent report has shed light on a controversial advertising technology known as “Active Listening.” This software, …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is likely to raise a 1 percent rate on 31 different kinds of withholding taxes from next month if the revenue shortfall continues in September 2024. In this regard, the FBR has drafted a mini-budget proposal on WHTs. According to the details, presently 31 types of withholding taxes are applicable on various financial transactions. …

The Supreme Court has upheld the dismissal and fines imposed on a regional officer of the forest department, Meher Badshah, in a case concerning the illegal felling of precious Shisham trees (Indian rosewood) in Mardan. The three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, dismissed the appeal filed by Badshah, affirming the disciplinary actions taken against him. …

Students in Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad have brought pride to their families by achieving outstanding success in the annual Intermediate examinations 2024, with girls securing top positions in all three cities. In Multan, the results marked a historic moment as Zarlish Fatima, Wajiha Afzal, and Arfa Batool, jointly secured the first position with 1158 marks. Wajiha, whose father is a …

Pakistan Test cricket team moved from sixth to eighth in the latest ICC Test rankings. The current rating points of the national test team is only 76. This is the Pakistan team’s lowest rating point since 1965. International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the ranking of Test players and to the consistency in the poor performance, cricketer Babar Azam is …

Virtual discussions between officials from the Finance Ministry and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission took place on Tuesday evening, focusing on critical issues of external financing and revenue generation. Despite the ongoing negotiations, no deadline has been established for the approval of the loan by the IMF’s Executive Board, according to sources familiar with the matter. During the talks, …

Pakistan’s oil supply chain is at risk of significant disruption due to the excessive storage of diesel, according to a warning issued by four major oil refineries. In a letter addressed to the petroleum secretary, the refineries expressed concerns that the current diesel stock levels have reached a critical point, with over 770,000 tons of diesel in storage, equivalent to …

The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in connection with an arms and liquor recovery case. The warrant was issued after Gandapur’s application for exemption from attendance on medical grounds was rejected by the court. Civil Judge Shaista Khan Kundi, who presided over the case, ordered …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Xi noted that the FOCAC has become an effective mechanism for advancing practical cooperation between China and Africa and a fine example of South-South cooperation. He expressed the belief that …

BEIJING: The intellectual property cooperation between China and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries has been strengthened over the past decade, with digital and green patents emerging as prominent aspects of this partnership. Official figures released by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) on Wednesday revealed that from 2013 to 2023, Chinese enterprises in BRI partner countries and …

DHAKA: As an unprecedented flood is affecting millions of people in parts of Bangladesh, China’s Huawei has come forward to help individuals and communities recover from the trauma of devastating flooding. As part of its efforts, Huawei has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Obhizatrik Foundation, a local non-profit organization, and handed over significant funds to aid flood-affected people …

In a statement in the national assembly, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the establishment of a National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. The decision was made due to the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) limited capacity to address the rising cybercrime incidents. During the Question Hour in the National Assembly, Tarar assured that support will be provided until the new cybercrime investigation …

The National Assembly on Tuesday deferred bill seeking to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court. PML-N’s Daniyal Chaudhry presented the bill proposing an increase in the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 23. However, Barrister Gohar noted that under Articles 74 and 81 of the Constitution, only the government can introduce such a bill, as …

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday expressed the commitment to bringing economic growth and stability to Pakistan. Chairing a meeting of federal cabinet in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz Sharif said we have to provide productive employment and reduce expenditures, in addition to shrinking circular debt in gas and power sectors. He emphasized the need to advance in this direction with urgency. …

Torrential rains claimed at least 306 lives and injured 591 persons in separate rain-related incidents across the country from July 1 to September 3, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in its report on Monday. The disaster management authority elaborated on the devastation caused by continued wet spells, which resulted in a great loss of lives, properties, crops and …

Recent incidents involving the Indian military have brought its competence and professionalism into question. A Coast Guard helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea off the coast of Gujarat while on a rescue mission, with two pilots and two divers on board. The pilots remain missing. In a separate incident, a MiG-29 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed on …

Deepika Padukone, who is in the final month of her pregnancy, is set to welcome her baby in India, contrary to rumors suggesting she might travel to London for the delivery. According to a report, Deepika’s due date is towards the end of September, and she is expected to give birth in Mumbai. A source revealed, “Deepika and Ranveer are …

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has revealed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has no objections to implementing targeted subsidies. These subsidies, he said, could be distributed to eligible recipients through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). To ensure uniformity, the minister indicated that discussions would be held with chief ministers this week, aiming to apply a consistent policy nationwide. He …

The 2nd Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi headed towards a dramatic conclusion, with Bangladesh securing a victory on the final day by chasing a target of 185. Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by six wickets in hands. Bangladesh has shown their class in this test. This is the second time, Pakistan suffered a whitewash in their own country. In …

BEIJING: Railways. Ports. Industrial parks. Power stations. Infrastructure cooperation between China and Africa is thriving, and the outcome is changing the lives of millions. Industrial leaders and officials observed that the infrastructure projects undertaken by Chinese companies have yielded tangible benefits for Africans, helping the continent enhance its connectivity; improve conditions for economic and social development; advance its industrialization, modernization …

As we age, the foods we eat can greatly affect our fitness, appearance, quality of life, and disease risk. Our bodies rely on various nutrients to support the natural aging process. Some nutrients may help slow signs of aging, such as by promoting healthy skin. It’s important to note that eating specific foods isn’t going to make you look noticeably …

Economist Kaiser Bengali has emphasised that the government’s primary focus should be on reducing fiscal deficits, stating that closing down certain institutions could result in savings of PKR 30 billion. During a press conference in Karachi, Bengali announced his resignation from the High-Powered Committee for Rightsizing. He expressed concerns that the entire burden of restructuring is being placed on the …

US President Joe Biden has honoured Pakistani-American Urdu poet and writer Raees Warsi with a lifetime achievement award. New York State Assembly member Jessica Gonzalez presented the accolade on Biden’s behalf, recognising Warsi’s lifelong dedication to promoting Urdu language and literature globally. Raees has spent the past 34 years advocating for the Urdu language, achieving milestones such as organising the …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, Imran Khan, has expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue, stating that discussions will take place only with those who make the decisions. During a conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail, Imran Khan remarked that May 9 is their “insurance policy.” He further claimed that if May 9 is disregarded, the government and its politics will …

The final report by the Armed Forces of Iran on the helicopter crash claimed that no signs of sabotage were found in the plane crash that claimed lives of President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage. President Raisi, his foreign minister and other senior officials, died when their helicopter crashed in a mountainous region near the Azerbaijan border on May 19. …

Pakistani winger and striker Imran Kayani has officially joined Cray Wanderers on a permanent deal. The move marks a significant step in Kayani’s career as he looks to make an impact in English football. Cray Wanderers competes in the Isthmian Premier Division, the seventh tier of English football. Kayani’s signing is expected to bolster the club’s attacking options as they …

Ten major cities in Punjab are currently under threat from organized criminal activities, with law enforcement facing significant challenges in apprehending dangerous suspects. According to police sources, a total of 960 suspects involved in serious crimes such as illegal occupation, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, and murder remain at large. The cities most affected include Rawalpindi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, and …

Pakistan has extended an invitation to India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, for an official visit, according to sources. The invitation has been sent to the Indian Minister to attend the SCO Trade Ministers’ Meeting, sources said. An invitation letter was delivered to the Indian Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal, through diplomatic channels, sources confirmed. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) …

Following the National Assembly’s approval, a bill aimed at increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court is set to be presented in the Senate today. The private bill, prepared by Senator Abdul Qadir, seeks to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1997, to address the growing backlog of pending cases. The bill proposes an increase in …

The federal government has submitted a comprehensive plan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) aimed at reducing electricity prices by Rs6 per unit. This proposal is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to provide relief to consumers burdened by high electricity costs. According to sources within the Power Division, the plan involves the federal and provincial governments jointly arranging funding …

BEIRUT: A Hezbollah member was killed and six people were injured on Sunday in Israeli airstrikes on border villages in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. An Israeli airstrike on the village of Bayt Lif killed one Hezbollah fighter and injured two others, including a woman who sustained serious injuries, according to a statement released by …