Open Auction Announced for Eateries and Cafes in Capital Street Islamabad

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has made an official announcement regarding the dates for an open auction of 1-kanal plots in Shakarparian, Islamabad. These plots will be designated for eateries, cafes, and restaurants in the upcoming Capital Street Islamabad, which aims to replicate the charm of renowned walking streets like JBR Dubai, City Walk Dubai, and Nizami Street Baku.

The open auction is scheduled to take place on July 20th and 21st at the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad. A total of 20 plots, each measuring 500 square yards, will be available for interested participants.

To be eligible for participation in the auction, food businesses must be registered with the relevant authorities. International food businesses are also welcome to participate, provided they fulfill all the necessary formalities.

The CDA is offering a 10% rebate on the total payment if made within one month, along with an additional 5% rebate for payments made in USD.

Interested investors can acquire brochures from the CDA Facilitation Center, Directorate of Estate Management II, starting today. The brochures are also accessible on the CDA’s official website.

In order to facilitate investors, the authority has approved tenders worth Rs. 1 billion for dedicated regeneration efforts in the area. Infrastructure development and other essential facilities will be enhanced within the next six months.

Under the terms of the auction, advance tax will be deducted on a pro-rata basis, and successful bidders will be required to make a 25% payment within 30 days of bid acceptance. Additionally, one-third of the plot area will be reserved for art and craft, contributing to the cultural ambiance of the street.

Pedestrian boulevards and streets will be an integral part of the design, ensuring a pleasant and inviting environment for visitors.

Google Doodle Celebrates the Iconic ‘Gol Gappa’ with Interesting Game

Image: Google

Google Doodle is honouring the iconic street food of South Asia, Gol Gappa’ with an interesting game today (July 12th).

Gol Gappa’, Pani Puri, or Puchka is a favourite snack in Pakistan and India and is loved by people of all ages.

This savoury snack is made of crispy hollow balls filled with a variety of filling including chickpeas, booked potatoes, nimco, chutneys and onions. The balls are then filled with tangy and spicy water.

The search engine is celebrating Gol Gappa today because, on July 12, 2015, an Indore-based restaurant in India achieved the world record for selling the most flavours of puchkas.

To celebrate the success, Google is allowing users to play an interesting game by offering them an opportunity to complete the Gol Gappa orders

New WhatsApp Feature Allows Users to Hide Phone Numbers from Community Members

Image: Reader’s Digest

The Meta-owned WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature allowing users to hide their phone numbers from other community members. The newly-launched feature is available for the updated version on Android and iOS.

The feature is aimed at enhancing user privacy and is now available for more users. WhatsApp has been experimenting with this feature that protects the confidentiality of members when they are part of the same community.

The new WhatsApp update does not allow members to see each other’s phone numbers and also hides the participant’s list. The users are also unable to react to any messages in the community to avoid revealing their numbers. Even if someone reacts to a message, their phone number would remain hidden.

Initially, the update was accessible to a limited number of people who received a message that their phone number is only visible to the contacts they have saved and the community administrators.

With this new feature, community members will be able to interact with each other anonymously. However, if someone wants to contact a member via a private message, they will have to send a request to the user.

Winners of ICC Players of the Month Award

Winners of ICC Player of the Month Award

On Tuesday, Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka and Ashleigh Gardner of Australia were crowned as the ICC Players of the Month for June, marking their outstanding performances.

Hasaranga showcased exceptional bowling skills, claiming an impressive 26 wickets with an astonishing average of just 10.00. Notably, he made history by becoming the first spinner to achieve three consecutive five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket during the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.

Expressing his delight, Hasaranga said, “I am incredibly thrilled to receive this prestigious award, especially at such a crucial moment for Sri Lanka Cricket following our qualification for the Cricket World Cup in India. It’s a great privilege and honor to be chosen as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month.”

Travis Head of Australia and Sean Williams of Zimbabwe were also strong contenders for the award in the men’s category, highlighting the fierce competition.

In the women’s category, Ashleigh Gardner secured the award after her exceptional performance in the Test match against England. She contributed significantly, taking four wickets for 99 runs in the first innings and impressive match-winning figures of eight for 66 in the second innings.

Grateful for the recognition, Gardner expressed her gratitude to those who voted for her as the ICC Women’s Player of the Month. She emphasized the significance of winning an Ashes Test match at Trent Bridge, describing it as a special moment for the team. She further acknowledged the challenges of winning a Test match overseas and expressed her excitement to be part of the record-breaking crowds witnessed during the women’s Ashes series in England.

Gardner’s achievement marks her third Player of the Month award, triumphing over Tammy Beaumont of England and Hayley Matthews of the West Indies, showcasing her consistent excellence in the sport.

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Rawalpindi resident takes his life after being harassed by loan apps

In a heart-wrenching incident, a 42-year-old resident of Rawalpindi ended his life after being subjected to relentless harassment and threats from representatives of digital lending apps.

According to the deceased’s wife, her husband initially borrowed approximately Rs. 13,000 to cover the expenses of house rent and school fees for their children after losing his job. However, things took a dark turn within weeks as he started receiving menacing threats.

The woman revealed that her husband was coerced into repaying a significantly higher amount and was constantly hounded by threats. Desperate to settle his debt, the deceased resorted to taking another loan from a different digital lending app, only to find himself trapped in a vicious cycle of mounting interest.

Shockingly, the deceased was allegedly blackmailed with the threat of leaking his personal data, including contact details, photos, and videos, if he failed to repay the loan along with exorbitant interest.

Unable to bear the constant threats and blackmail inflicted by these digital lending apps, the man tragically took his own life. The Race Course police have initiated an investigation into the matter and have registered a case.

Earlier this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) urged borrowers to thoroughly review all terms and conditions, including interest rates, service fees, and penalties, before engaging with digital loan apps.

In May, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) issued a warning to the public regarding the growing trend of mobile app-based micro-credit and nano-loan facilities.

Instances of harassment by digital loan apps are unfortunately not uncommon, with numerous accounts shared on social media platforms detailing threats and blackmail tactics employed by these lenders. However, this tragic incident marks a distressing first in Pakistan, where a victim of such loan apps resorted to suicide due to alleged harassment and blackmail perpetrated by these predatory lenders.

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Startup Funding in Pakistan Drops by 95%, Stands at $5.2 Million

“Women on Wheels” Program to Offer 22,000 Scooties at Discounted Price

Image: Ticketwala.pk

The federal government of Pakistan has launched a new initiative in which Twenty-two thousand Scooties will be offered to women at discounted prices.

The program “Prime Minister’s Women on Wheels” will give these scooties to women across Pakistan who are working or studying. The initiative is aimed at making women independent in terms of mobility and reducing their dependency on public transportation.

Nilofar Bakhtiar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Poverty Alleviation, told this news to the media and said that a budget of five billion rupees has been allocated for this program.

She further said that the allocation of these scooters will be conducted with transparency and everyone who is eligible for it will be given an equal chance.

The “Women on Wheels” program is expected to start soon and women between the ages of 18 and 55 are eligible for applying. The three-year program will be available for women earning between 30,000 to 1.5 lac rupees. This program will l facilitate women who are working, studying, are polio health workers, journalists or are contributing positively toward the economy of the country.

Bakhtiar also added that all four provinces will get 4,000 scooters each, while Islamabad will get 4,100 and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) will get 1,000 scooters.

Startup Funding in Pakistan Drops by 95%, Stands at $5.2 Million

The second quarter of 2023 has not been kind to the startup ecosystem of Pakistan as the funding have significantly decreased. According to Data Darbar, the funding have reduced by 95% as compared to the previous year and shows a drop of 77.5% as compared to the previous quarter. The current startup funding in Pakistan is $5.2 million as compared to $104.1 million and $23.1 million in the previous year and previous quarter respectively. It all makes the second quarter of 2023 the worst in terms of performance.

Experts suggest that there are many factors that are responsible for the decrease in funding including the ongoing macroeconomic crisis, the fear of default that has made investors dubious, and the pending IMF deal. Though there is the hope of betterment if the deal is finalized anytime soon.

However, we should consider the fact that the global startup venture is also facing a tough time recently. The Crunchbase data reported that global funding stands at $22 billion as of May 2023, which is 44% less than the funding in the same period last year. Therefore, the investors are also reluctant in making decisions.

Renowned analyst, Sarwat Khan from Beta Core (ABC), told a local newspaper, “The scenario in Pakistan is not completely in isolation. Notably, the global venture funding landscape has also seen a slowdown during the same period.” He further said that the funding have decreased in global markets including US, UK, and China.

However, he said that the macroeconomic challenges of Pakistan are majorly responsible for the sharp decrease. Khan said, “Pakistan has endured what many consider its most challenging year yet, marked by the looming threat of default.”

HBL Wins Best Bank for Digital Solutions Pakistan 2023

HBL (Habib Bank Limited) has been awarded the prestigious title of ‘Best Bank for Digital Solutions Pakistan’ for the year 2023 by Asiamoney. This recognition is accompanied by HBL securing its fifth consecutive ‘Best Domestic Bank’ award for the same year.

Asiamoney commended HBL in their citation for the ‘Best Bank for Digital Solutions Pakistan’ for their unwavering commitment to innovation, particularly as a trailblazer in delivering seamless, secure, and integrated digital platforms.

Through close collaboration with regulators to enhance security requirements, HBL continues to assert its leadership position in the banking industry by guiding customers towards a digital-first approach.

Expressing his gratitude, Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO of HBL, stated, “HBL is honored to receive the recognition as ‘Best Bank for Digital Solutions Pakistan’ and ‘Best Domestic Bank Pakistan’.”

He further added that HBL remains dedicated to providing innovative products and solutions to cater to customers whose banking needs have evolved beyond traditional channels.

Digitalization lies at the core of HBL’s commitment to serving its customers even more effectively. These awards are a testament to the ongoing trust and confidence millions of customers place in HBL.

Asiamoney, a renowned global English-language publication specializing in business and finance, holds significant credibility in the industry.

Virgin Atlantic Suspends Operations in Pakistan

British Airline Virgin Atlantic announced to suspend its operations in Pakistan on Sunday. The airline started operations in Pakistan in 2020 from Islamabad International Airport and was offering seven weekly flights initially. Later on, it was reduced to three flights per week to London’s Heathrow Airport.

Virgin Atlantic was flying between London, Lahore and Islamabad. According to a press release by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Virgin Atlantic was operating from Islamabad to Heathrow Airport, London at 8 am on Sunday.

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said, “As we continue to ramp up our flying programme in 2023, we’ve taken the opportunity to review our entire network and decided to make a few changes.” He added, “Following this review, it is with regret that we’ve taken the difficult decision to suspend our services between London Heathrow and Pakistan. Since commencing operations in December 2020, we have been proud to offer choice for customers travelling between London and Manchester in the United Kingdom, and Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan. During that time, we have also provided important cargo capacity, as well as delivering vital medical supplies.” He further said, “This is not a decision we have taken lightly, and we’d like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. We would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone in Pakistan; our customers, teams, partners and the authorities for their support over the past two years.”

This is How A Smartwatch Helped A Woman Discover Her Boyfriend is Cheating

Image: Times Now

A video of a woman is getting viral on Tiktok recently in which she claimed to have discovered the cheating of her boyfriend via a Smartwatch.

The couple had synchronized smartwatches for emergency situations.

However, one night the woman noticed an unusually increased activity in her boyfriend’s smartwatch. It was 2 am and the woman was notified of 500 calorie burn which was highly impossible to attain from an intense exercise at that time.

She confronted her boyfriend and upon getting no satisfactory answers about burning 500 calories late at night, she decided to part ways with him.

She wrote, “I found out my boyfriend was cheating when the Fitbit smartwatch showed a spike at 2 a.m. We had synced our Fitbit watches, and I received a notification that he burned 500 calories at 2 a.m.”

Parents Should Avoid This Potentially Fatal Mistake While Putting Children to Sleep

Image: Daily Mail

Parents are advised to avoid this potentially fatal mistake when putting children to sleep. According to a team at CPR Kids, parents should never put their children to sleep when they are wearing a beanie, bonnet or hoodie.

The team said, ‘Keeping your baby’s head and face uncovered during sleep reduces the risk of sudden and unexpected death, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).’

SIDS, also known as ‘cot death’ is the death of a healthy-looking child without any explainable reason.

According to the NHS, while sleeping a child’s feet should touch the end of their basket, cot, or pram. SIDS is most likely to happen to a child when they are under six months old and while they are sleeping. Around 200 babies die due to SIDs in the UK alone.

In order to reduce the chances of SIDS, the expectant mother should avoid smoking and the infant should not be exposed to smokers either. A child should also sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months to lessen the chances of SIDS.

Shehbaz Sharif accuses Imran Khan for launching campaign against Pakistan army

In a series of tweets on Sunday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused former Prime Minister Imran Khan of engaging in a “vile, sinister, and malicious campaign” against Army Chief General Asim Munir. Sharif claimed that Khan was using proxies to target the army chief, stating that his tactics of threatening assassination attempts have been exposed.

The prime minister asserted that Khan’s desperate attempts to regain power through coercive tactics would not succeed, as the people of Pakistan and political parties stand united in support of the Army Chief and the armed forces. Sharif emphasized that any attempts to undermine the prestige, honor, and integrity of the armed forces would be thwarted.

In a separate press statement, Sharif called for legal action against those involved in such malicious campaigns, both within the country and abroad, sending a clear message that conspiracies against Pakistan and its institutions would be crushed. The statement came in response to violent protests that erupted on May 9 following Khan’s arrest.

The government subsequently launched a crackdown on PTI leaders and workers, arresting thousands of people on charges of attacking civil and military installations. Sharif affirmed that desperate elements would not be allowed to create a new crisis in the country and reiterated the nation’s support for the armed forces and its leader.

Imran Khan, who was removed from power through a no-trust vote in April last year, has been challenging his removal and attempting to regain power by labeling it a conspiracy. Despite facing setbacks after violent clashes involving his supporters, Khan has been using social media and his supporters, allegedly operating from abroad, to target the army chief and the government. Sharif’s statements followed a demonstration outside the White House by Pakistani Americans demanding an end to the government’s actions against Khan.

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Pakistan should also demand neutral venue for World Cup matches just like India did for Asia Cup

Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination, Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari, has voiced his concerns about Pakistan touring India for the upcoming ICC World Cup. Mazari stated that Pakistan should demand to have their World Cup matches played at a neutral venue, citing India’s decision to do the same for the Asia Cup 2023.

We would demand to play World Cup matches out of India, says Mazari

In an interview with The Indian Express, Mazari expressed his personal opinion, saying, “If India demands to play their Asia Cup games at a neutral venue, we would also demand the same for our World Cup games in India,” given that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) falls under his ministry.

The Asia Cup will adopt a hybrid model this year due to India’s refusal to tour Pakistan over security concerns. The initial phase, comprising four matches, will be held in Pakistan, but the event will then transition to Sri Lanka for the remaining matches, including the knockout stage, with nine matches hosted by the island country.

Mazari emphasized that as the host nation for the Asia Cup, Pakistan has the right to host all the matches domestically, in accordance with the wishes of cricket lovers. He expressed his preference for a non-hybrid model.

In related news, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has formed a high-profile committee to determine whether the national cricket team will travel to India for the Cricket World Cup scheduled for October-November 2023. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will lead the committee, which includes Mazari among its 11 members. The committee will discuss the issue and present recommendations to the Prime Minister, who also serves as the patron-in-chief of the PCB, before a final decision is made.

Mazari dismissed the notion that Pakistan is an unsafe country for cricket, while also criticizing India for politicizing sports. He pointed out that India often intertwines sports and politics, questioning why the Indian government is reluctant to send their cricket team to Pakistan when other sports teams, such as baseball and bridge, have previously visited. He highlighted that Pakistan’s football, hockey, and chess teams also travel to India without incident.

Regarding security concerns, Mazari argued that they are not a solid argument against playing in Pakistan. He mentioned that New Zealand and England cricket teams recently toured Pakistan with presidential-level security, while the Indian team received a warm welcome during their visit. Mazari emphasized that security is being used as an excuse, pointing out that the successful Pakistan Super League (PSL) involved numerous foreign players.

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Switzerland commits helping Pakistan during natural disasters with advanced technology

Salaried class to protest against new tax rates

A nationwide campaign has been initiated by the salaried class to protest against the heavy taxation imposed on salaried individuals through the Finance Act of 2023.

The campaign, organized under the name “Save the Salaried Class,” aims to address the concerns raised by the salaried individuals regarding the recent implementation of additional direct taxation measures. A letter has been sent to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, outlining their grievances.

The letter specifically highlights the 2.5 percent tax increase and modifications made to income slabs, which have significantly increased the financial burden on salaried individuals. It mentions that these changes come on top of the already substantial tax burden imposed on the salaried class through the Finance Act of 2023, which not only raised tax rates but also withdrew various tax credits.

The salaried class is currently grappling with high inflation, increased GST, elevated petroleum levies, rising energy costs, and limited employment opportunities. The proposed tax rate hike and alteration of income slabs will further reduce their disposable income, putting additional strain on those who are already struggling to meet their financial obligations.

Furthermore, the letter highlights the significant decrease in purchasing power for the salaried class due to the substantial devaluation of the Pakistani rupee against major currencies. Managing daily expenses and household finances has become increasingly challenging for them.

The letter also points out the disparity in salary increases between the private and public sectors, exacerbating income inequality. While government employees and select sectors have seen their incomes rise, private sector employees, who form the majority of the workforce, have not experienced commensurate salary increases. This further widens the income gap between different segments of society.

In contrast to businesses in corporate, industry, trade, and service sectors, salaried individuals are unable to claim their expenses against their income, further restricting their ability to manage their finances effectively.

Previous budgets have also added to the financial burdens of the salaried class by withdrawing tax shields on investments and eliminating major claimable expenses. Consequently, the tax burden on the salaried class has significantly increased, making it extremely challenging for them to meet their financial obligations. They currently face the highest effective tax rate among all income sources.

The salaried class strongly urges the government to explore alternative avenues for generating tax revenue. For example, focusing on the wholesale and retail trade sector, which contributes 18 percent to the GDP but only one percent to tax revenue. Similarly, other sectors should contribute more proportionately to tax revenue based on their share in the GDP.

The letter emphasizes the need for fair taxation measures across all sectors to ensure an equitable distribution of the tax burden. While acknowledging the legal challenges in bringing certain sectors into the tax net, squeezing the already tax-paying sector of the economy is deemed unfair and unjust. Implementing a more balanced tax system would alleviate the financial burdens faced by the salaried class.

The salaried class consists of law-abiding citizens who prioritize integrity. They do not engage in illegal income generation. However, the persistently high inflation, reaching around 38 percent for several months, has further compounded their financial challenges, making it increasingly difficult for them to meet their basic needs.

In light of these concerns, the letter requests the finance minister to reconsider the proposed taxation measures and provide relief to the salaried class by reinstating deductible allowances in the calculation of their taxable income. This would help alleviate their financial burdens and promote a fairer and more equitable tax system.

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Switzerland commits helping Pakistan during natural disasters with advanced technology

SBP announces launch of digital currency

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is preparing for the upcoming pilot launch of a digital currency in the coming months. Deputy Governor of SBP, Sima Kamil, revealed that after completing the necessary groundwork, the pilot launch of Pakistan’s first digital currency will take place within the next two months. The Arab News reported Kamil’s statement regarding the launch of a sandbox environment, which will be initiated within one to two months. The sandbox will provide a controlled space for testing innovative products, services, or business models in a limited and supervised manner.

This step is aligned with the SBP’s long-term strategy, known as “SBP Vision 2028.” The introduction of a digital currency is an important component of this five-year plan. While the SBP has previously taken a cautious approach to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Pakcoin, OneCoin, and DasCoin, deeming them illegal, they have now decided to explore the creation of their own digital currency.

It’s important to note that central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), such as the one planned by SBP, differ from cryptocurrencies. CBDCs are designed to be more secure and are intended to complement physical cash and traditional electronic money. They leverage blockchain technology (DLT) to provide a secure and efficient means of conducting digital transactions.

A few countries have already launched their CBDCs, including Nigeria, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, while others such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, France, Ghana, Canada, and Uruguay have initiated pilot programs to study their implementation.

The SBP’s move toward a digital currency demonstrates their commitment to embracing technological advancements in the financial sector. This development could have significant implications for Pakistan’s financial landscape, as it aims to provide a secure and efficient digital payment system in line with global trends.

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Switzerland commits helping Pakistan during natural disasters with advanced technology

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif hailed the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pakistan and Switzerland, emphasizing its significance in fostering cooperation between the two nations to effectively address natural disasters.

Switzerland to use advanced technology against natural disasters

During the MoU signing ceremony, the prime minister expressed the country’s anticipation of receiving advanced warning systems and other technological tools from Switzerland to bolster Pakistan’s preparedness against natural calamities.

Despite Pakistan’s low carbon emissions, the prime minister acknowledged the adverse effects of global climate change on the country. In light of this, he emphasized the need for bilateral ties between Pakistan and Switzerland to extend beyond disaster management, citing potential collaborations in the tourism sector to showcase Pakistan’s abundant natural beauty.

Appreciating the Swiss foreign minister’s focus on regional peace, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the significance of maintaining stability in the region and identified Switzerland as a potential catalyst for promoting peace. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to progress, prosperity, and the well-being of its people, emphasizing the importance of investing resources in development rather than wasting them on regional tensions.

The prime minister stressed that the resolution of long-standing issues, including the Kashmir dispute, was crucial for sustainable peace in the region. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis of Switzerland, speaking at the ceremony, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the MoU in facilitating collaborative efforts against climate change.

He recognized Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes while underscoring the urgent need for international cooperation to mitigate the risks posed by natural disasters, citing the recent floods and resulting displacement as examples.

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Meta and SBP Join Hands to Digitally Empower 500 Pakistani Women Entrepreneurs

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