will mobile prices drop in Pakistan in 2023

In recent months, Pakistan’s mobile phone market has expanded significantly as smartphones become more widely available and affordable. Yet, many people are unsure if mobile phone rates in Pakistan will decrease in 2023 following the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects on the world economy. In this post, we’ll look at Pakistan’s mobile phone market as it stands right now and attempt to forecast if prices are going to fall in the years to come.

Pakistan’s Current Mobile Phone Market Situation

In Pakistan, the market for mobile phones is booming, and more people are looking for smartphones that are both inexpensive and of great quality. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said that there are now over 183 million mobile phone users in Pakistan, with an 87% penetration rate.

Chinese phone manufacturers like Huawei, Oppo, and Vivo, which sell reasonably priced smartphones with cutting-edge features, dominate the Pakistani mobile phone industry. But, Samsung and Apple also have a sizable following in Pakistan thanks to the premium market that their high-end smartphones serve.

Factors Affecting Pakistan’s Mobile Phone Prices

The cost of mobile phones in Pakistan is influenced by a number of factors. The exchange rate between the US dollar and the Pakistani rupee is one of the most important variables. The majority of mobile phones are imported, thus any changes in the currency rate might directly affect how much they cost in Pakistan.

The pricing of mobile phones can also be impacted by changes in governmental regulations, such as those affecting tariffs, taxes, and duties. For instance, the Pakistani government announced in June 2021 that taxes and levies on imported mobile phones would be reduced, which was anticipated to result in lower prices for consumers.

Will Pakistani mobile phone prices decrease in 2023?

Whether mobile phone prices in Pakistan will decrease in 2023 is difficult to forecast. Nonetheless, a number of variables point to a potential price decline in the upcoming years.

First off, the Pakistani government has been making efforts to encourage the development of the nation’s mobile phone business. This entails lowering taxes and levies on imported cell phones and promoting homegrown smartphone production. Increased market competitiveness as a result of these policies may result in cheaper pricing for customers.

A second possibility is that the exchange rate between the Pakistani rupee and the US dollar will stabilize as the Pakistani economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 outbreak. An exchange rate that is more consistent

Conclusion

There are a number of reasons that indicate prices may decline in the upcoming years, even if it is difficult to predict whether mobile phone prices will decrease in Pakistan in 2023. Future consumers in Pakistan might be able to take advantage of more reasonably priced and high-quality smartphones thanks to government initiatives to support the development of the mobile phone industry, a stabilised currency rate, and technological developments.

Can you lose weight during Ramadan fasting?

Muslims around the world observe fasting from sunrise to dusk during Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. One of the Five Pillars of Islam, and a fundamental aspect of the Islamic faith, is fasting during Ramadan. Muslims refrain from consuming any food, liquids, or other necessities during the day and break their fast with an iftar meal.

While Ramadan fasting is largely practised for religious reasons, many individuals are curious as to whether it can aid in weight loss. In this post, we’ll examine the pros and cons of Ramadan fasting as well as if it can help you lose weight.

What is fasting in Ramadan?

Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual behaviour from dawn to dusk throughout Ramadan. Abstaining from actions or thoughts that can be construed as sinful is also included in the practise of fasting, which is not just restricted to food and drink.

Suhoor, the meal eaten before dawn, and iftar, the meal eaten to break the fast after dusk, are both known in Islam. To break their fast, folks typically eat a few dates and drink some water or milk before eating a substantial meal. During Ramadan, it’s typical for friends and family to get together and eat together.

Can you lose weight during Ramadan’s fast?

Some people may lose weight after the Ramadan fast. Body weight can fall as a result of calorie restriction and reduced food intake. Yet, depending on a number of variables, weight reduction rates can differ from person to person.

Moreover, changing one’s dietary habits while fasting throughout Ramadan is possible. It’s possible that people will choose their food more carefully, eat less, and stop snacking in between meals. Weight loss may also be aided by these modifications to eating behaviours.

It is important to remember, though, that losing weight while fasting during Ramadan might not be long-term maintainable. Some can resume their usual eating patterns when Ramadan is ended, which could result in weight increase.

Perks of fasting during Ramadan

Ramadan fasting has a number of potential advantages besides weight loss. On average health and wellbeing, Ramadan fasting is thought to be beneficial. Ramadan fasting may have several advantages, such as:

Fasting throughout Ramadan can increase insulin sensitivity, which is advantageous for those who have diabetes.

Fasting has been demonstrated to lower inflammation in the body, which has been connected to a number of chronic conditions.

Better blood lipid levels and decreased risk of heart disease have been related to Ramadan fasting.

Benefits on the spiritual plane: Ramadan fasting is a crucial component of the Islamic faith and is thought to improve self-control, empathy, and compassion.

Conclusion

Some people may experience weight loss during Ramadan, mostly as a result of a calorie deficit and dietary modifications. Yet, weight loss when fasting during Ramadan might not be long-lasting in

Babar Azam to Receive Pakistan’s Prestigious Civil Award

PC: Daily Times

This Pakistan Day, Babar Azam will become the youngest cricketer to receive Sitara-e-Imtiaz. This prestigious civil award will be conferred on Azam in the wake of his outstanding achievements in the world if cricket.

PC: Pakistan Times

The 28-year-old Babar Azam is the captain of Pakistan cricket team and is a top performing batter as well.

The government of Pakistan earlier announced that Azam will receive this award and now it is confirmed that he will be honoured with Sitara-e-Imtiaz on 23rd March, 2023.

Previously, four captains namely Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan and Sarfaraz Ahmed were awarded with Sitara-e-Imtiaz, a third highest civil honour in Pakistan.

Aiman and Minal Treat Their Employees Like Slaves, Never Pay Them on Time, Says Ex-employee

PC: Pinterest

The twin sisters, Aiman Khan and Minal Khan, have been accused by their former employee for not paying on time. Both the sisters are running their brand “Aiman Minal Closet,” where Ali Hamid used to work. He recently took to social media and said, “I’ve now reached the point where I’m writing about my bad experience at Aiman Minal Closet after pleading for my own money for six months. I have been employed by them for over a year now. But they never paid me on time”.

He continued, “They don’t pay their employees despite being this famous, and if you address Maaz (their brother) about payment, he always promises to transfer it the following week, but you never actually receive the salary.” He further added, “They constantly disrespect them and treat them like slaves, but they never pay the wages. They owe me exactly $80,000, and I’m sick of pressurizing them for it. I keep sending them messages, but I never hear back.”

MET Office Predicts Heavy Rains in Karachi Suburbs

PC: ARY News

The Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) has predicted rain with thunder in suburbs of Karachi today.

According to the MET department, a new system of rain will enter the southern Balochistan and will become a reason for thundershower in different areas of Balochistan and Sindh. There is also a prediction for rain in Karachi.

The MET office further said that westerly winds will blow in the region and dusty winds are expected in Jamshoro, Sajawal, Thatta, Badin, Sanghar, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Matiari and Hyderabad.

Rain with thunder is expected in different suburbs of Karachi.

Why Digital Camera is so Important and How it Works

A digital camera is an electronic device that captures and saves images in a digital format. Digital cameras employ a sensor to catch light and transform it into digital information, in contrast to classic film cameras, which use chemical processes to make images on light-sensitive film.

In this post, we’ll look more closely at how digital cameras operate, from their fundamental parts to the complex operations that go on in the background.

Electronics in a digital camera

Several essential parts make up a digital camera, including:

The component of the camera that focuses light onto the picture sensor is known as the lens. Zoom lenses, prime lenses, and macro lenses are just a few of the many different kinds of lenses that may be used with digital cameras.

The electronic component that captures light and transforms it into digital data is called an image sensor. A CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) sensor is used by the majority of digital cameras.

The processor, or “brain,” of the camera, processes the digital data that the image sensor has captured. The raw data is transformed into a digital image that may be kept on a memory card.

Digital photos are stored on memory cards, which are used for storage. Memory cards are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, including SD (Secure Digital) and CF (CompactFlash).

How Pictures Are Captured by Digital Cameras

A digital camera’s shutter button causes numerous things to happen very instantly:

The light is focused onto the image sensor by the lens.

Light is captured by the image sensor, which transforms it into digital data.

A digital image is produced by the processor after it has processed the digital data.

On the memory card is where the digital image is kept.

Let’s examine each of these steps in more detail:

Focusing: The lens focuses the light onto the picture sensor. This procedure is comparable to what takes place in an old-fashioned film camera.

Light is captured by the image sensor, which then transforms it into digital data. Millions of small, light-sensitive components called pixels make up the picture sensor. The amount of light that strikes each pixel is recorded, and this data is used to build the digital image.

Processing: The image sensor’s digital data is processed by the processor. The raw data is transformed into a digital image that may be kept on a memory card.

Storage: The memory card holds the digital image. Memory cards only last for a

Conclusion

In conclusion, digital cameras acquire, process, and store digital images using a combination of lenses, image sensors, CPUs, and memory cards. Although taking a picture is a multi-step, complex process, digital cameras have altered the way we shoot and share pictures. With the use of digital cameras, we can quickly and simply capture, share, and save memories for upcoming generations.

Lahore Qalandars are the Winner of PSL 2023: PSL 8

The Pakistan Super League, or PSL for short, is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in Pakistan. The PSL 8 final, which pits the best teams in the league against one another in an exciting match, is one of Pakistan’s most eagerly anticipated cricket-related events.

On March 18, 2023, the PSL 8 championship game occurred at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The Multan Sultans and the Lahore Qalandars were the two teams that advanced to the championship game. Both teams were considered the favorites to win the championship because they had both played incredibly well throughout the competition.

The Lahore Qalandars won the toss and decided to bat first to start the game. With their openers quickly scoring runs, the Qalandars got off to a terrific start. However, the Multan Sultans’ bowlers quickly settled into a routine and started to take wickets on a regular basis. After losing six wickets, the Qalandars eventually declared their innings with a score of 200.

The Multan Sultans’ reaction was met with a rough start as they lost their first wicket after 40 runs. But their middle-order batsmen rose to the occasion and started forming a strong combination. R. Rossouw, a player with the Sultans, had an outstanding inning, scoring 52 runs off just 32 balls. The lower order plays well, but the Multan Sultans are forced to chase 200 runs and missed out on the PSL 8 championship by two runs.

Both sides gave it their all in the PSL 8 championship match, which was an exciting contest. Both teams’ batting, bowling, and fielding abilities were great during the game. That was a fitting conclusion to a terrific tournament when Pakistan hosted some of the top cricket players in the world.

In conclusion, the PSL 8 final was a fantastic event that highlighted Pakistan’s best cricket. It served as a monument to Pakistanis’ tenacity and resolve as they battled to reinstate international cricket in their homeland. The PSL 8 championship game will go down in history as a tremendous event for Pakistani cricket, and it has opened the door for even bigger things to come.

Najam Sethi’s statements on PSL 8 ending

Najam Sethi's statements on PSL 8 ending
Image: PCB

Najam Sethi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, held a conference ahead of the Lahore Qalandars-Multan Sultans final to discuss the success of the HBL PSL 8

Mr Sethi, expressed gratitude to the federal and provincial governments, law enforcement institutions, foreign players, and women players for their support in making the HBL PSL 8 a success. He congratulated his team for the smooth delivery of the event, which involved managing logistical and operational support across four venues.

Mr Sethi claimed that the tournament’s success was due to the love and support it received from the fans, who turned the HBL PSL into a global brand. He highlighted the record ticket sales, crowd turnout, and digital and TV ratings, which he attributed to the great quality of cricket produced by the tournament. Mr Sethi also praised the pitches provided for the tournament, which supported both batting and bowling and provided a perfect setting for evenly contested matches.

He claimed that the HBL PSL 8 contributed to the country’s economic growth, creating job opportunities and helping the tourism, hotel industry, airlines, and road traveling businesses grow. Looking ahead, Mr Sethi plans to enhance the facilities of the stadiums and is in talks with relevant authorities to build five-star hotels with the stadiums to minimize disturbances for fans.

Najam Sethi’s statements before PSL 8 Ending

Addressing a news conference ahead of Lahore Qalandars-Multan Sultans final, Mr Sethi said: 

“I want to thank all the stakeholders, including federal, provincial governments and law enforcement institutions for their unwavering support and making the HBL PSL 8 a success. The way all the arms of the state worked together and provided their help and support to the PCB underscores how this tournament is now considered as a national asset.

“I also want to thank the foreign players for their participation in the tournament. The foreign players want to come and play in the league as it provides them quality cricket and has helped in their development. Many foreign cricketers who have played here have gone on to graduate to the top-level, because of which the HBL PSL has emerged into as a global brand.

“All the women players who were here for the women exhibition matches in Rawalpindi have expressed their desire to come back and play in Pakistan, which is a great advert for our country.

“I also want to congratulate my team for the smooth delivery of the event. It is no mean task to flawlessly deliver logistical and operational support to the tournament of such a magnitude at four venues. We were managing two production teams and many a time the turnaround time was very tight, but their undying spirit and resolve made sure that we never faced any obstacles.

“Despite all the logistical challenges, we were able to conduct a high-class opening ceremony in Multan. Never before has an opening ceremony being delivered of such great quality. When I took over the affairs, no preparation had been made for the opening ceremony. I personally looked into the affairs and made sure that we continue to build the brand of the HBL PSL through sheer hard work and dedication.

“It took us two months from planning till execution to deliver the HBL PSL, and I have no qualms in claiming that we can deliver the HBL PSL in any part of the world, because of the knowledge and expertise we possess.

“The HBL PSL would not have been this successful without the love and support that it has received from the fans. We had turnout of 80 per cent on average and at times, it went to 95 per cent. It is their support that has turned the HBL PSL into a global brand. The new levels of interest and following has seen record ticket sales, record crowd turnout and record digital and TV ratings, which has not happened before.

“The tournament was only made successful because of the great quality of cricket.

“We produced pitches that supported batting and bowling and provided perfect setting for evenly contested matches. Never before we saw as many as seven centuries being scored in an edition. Multan Sultans posted 262, the highest HBL PSL score, and the we also saw the record for the highest match aggregate in the world getting set when Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans amassed 515 runs in Rawalpindi.

“There were three five-fers, joint most with HBL PSL 1, a hat-trick and top-10 bowlers included seven fast bowlers (all locals) and three spinners (all local).

“These are just phenomenal numbers.

“HBL PSL 8 also contributed in keeping country’s economic wheel moving as it created job opportunities and helped tourism, hotel industry, airlines and road traveling business grow. We have paid PKR70crore in taxes to the federal government, PKR50crore in sales taxes and another PKR50crore in provincial taxes and also helped businesses grow.

“Moving on, we will work on uplifting our stadia in Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Rawalpindi, Quetta and Peshawar as I feel we need to enhance the facilities to make them at par with the world. We are also in talks with the relevant authorities in Karachi and government in Lahore to make five-star hotels with the stadiums so the people don’t have to face disturbances when the matches are held.”

State Bank of Pakistan Issues Rs50 Commemorative Coin for Senate’s Golden Jubilee

State Bank of Pakistan to Issue Rs50 Commemorative Coin for Senate's Golden Jubilee
Image:SBP

The State Bank of Pakistan has announced the issuance of a Rs50 commemorative coin to mark the golden jubilee of the Senate, the upper house of Pakistan’s bicameral parliament. The federal government has authorized the central bank to issue the coin in honor of the Senate’s 50th anniversary in 2023.

The Senate of Pakistan is a permanent house in the parliament, consisting of equal representatives from all provinces of the country. The coin, which weighs 13.5 grams and is made of 75% copper and 25% nickel, is round in shape and has a diameter of 30.0 mm. It will be available through exchange counters at all field offices of SBP Banking Services Corporation from March 17, 2023.

The obverse face of the coin features a waxing crescent moon and five-pointed northwest-facing star in the center, with the words ‘Islami Jamhuria Pakistan’ inscribed in Urdu script along the periphery. The year of issuance is below the crescent, on top of two springs of wheat with arms curved upward. The face value of the coin, in numeral ’50’ and ‘Rupia’ in Urdu script, are written on the right and left sides of the star, respectively.

The reverse side of the coin displays the insignia of the Senate of Senate of Pakistan is shown with artistic numeral wording of 50 on the right hand side. The Urdu script on top of the emblem’s periphery bears the inscription “Pakistan Senate Golden Jubilee,” while the duration of the jubilee (1973-2023) is inscribed beneath the emblem.

This Pakistani Family From Larkana Holds World Record for Most Same Birth Date “1st August”

A Pakistani family recently broke the internet with their amazing Record for same birth date.

PC: Hello Pakistan

Amir Azad Mangi and his Family from Larkana set a new Guinness World Record for “most family members born on the same day.

The nine members from this family who participated in the world record are all born on August 1st.

PC: Daily Pakistan

The names of the record holder family are:

  • Mr. Mangi was born on Aug. 1, 1968
  • Mrs. Mangi was born on Aug. 1, 1973
  • Sindhu, Their First Daughter was born on Aug. 1, 1992
  • Sapna and Sassi, their twin daughters were born on Aug. 1, 1998
  • Amir, their first son was born on Aug. 1, 2001
  • Ambar, their second son was born on Aug. 1, 2002
  • Ahmer and Amar, their twin sons were born on Aug. 1, 2003

Veteran Umpire Aleem Dar Steps Down

PC: ESPNcricInfo

The International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a press release regarding the 58-year-old umpire, it said, “The veteran umpire [Aleem] Dar has stepped down after 19 years on the Elite Panel, standing in a record 435 men’s international matches.” the International Cricket Council (ICC)

In 2002, Aleem officiated his first international match as an Elite Panel umpire and then he was seen in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

Dar had been a prominent cricket player throughout his career before he took up umpiring, he says, “It has been a long journey, but I have enjoyed every bit of it,” Aleem was quoted in the ICC release.“I have had the pleasure and honour of umpiring the world over and what I have achieved is something I did not even dream of when I started in the profession.”

On this occasion, Geoff Allardice ICC chief executive said, “Aleem’s contribution to international cricket and to the ICC has been truly remarkable. Consistently elite performances over such a long period saw him enjoy enormous respect across all involved in international cricket.”

Najam Sethi, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee also congratulated Dar on his achievement. He also seemed overjoyed on the appointment of Ahsan as the third Pakistani umpire to be included in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. Sethi said, “It is a moment of great pride and joy for the whole nation that Ahsan Raza has become the third Pakistan umpire to be appointed to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. I want to congratulate Ahsan on this wonderful achievement and I am sure he will continue to work hard with dedication and passion to enha­nce the image and profile of this noble profession,” he continued, “I also want to congratulate Aleem on his successful career as an elite panelist. He was the first Pakistani to become a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, and has established himself as one of the most respected and highly-qualified ump­ires in the business.”

Pakistan’s Nuclear and Missile Programs are “totally secure, foolproof and under no stress or pressure”

PC: ISPR

The government of Pakistan has again emphasized on its stance that Pakistan’s missile and nuclear program was “totally secure, foolproof and under no stress or pressure, whatsoever.” “Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programme is a national asset, which is jealously guarded by the state. The complete programme is totally secure, foolproof and under no stress or pressure, whatsoever,” said an official PM office statement.

The statement was issued in response to the current press releases, statements, queries, concerns and other rumors circulating on social media regarding the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs. It also highlighted that a routine visit of Mariano Grossing, DG IAEA, was part of a peaceful nuclear program, yet it was portrayed in a negative manner.

The government has categorically said that the nuclear and missile programs of Pakistan are serving the exact purpose they were built for, hence there should not be any concerns about them.

Kite String Takes Life of a Five-Year-Old Child

PC: Daily Pakistan

A five-year-old child lost his life after a kite string was wrapped around his neck. The child was riding on a motorcycle with his father in Shadbagh area if Lahore when a kite string from an unknown direction emerged and twisted his neck.

The CCPO Lahore has taken action of the accident and an FIR has been registered against unknown persons.

Babar Azam Faces 500-600 Balls While Practicing

PC: AFP

Babar Azam, a renowned skipper from Pakistan has finally shared the secret of his success. He says that he strongly believes in “practice makes a man perfect.”

During an interview, the right-handed batter said that he takes his game very seriously and plays around 500-600 balls while practicing. He added that he doubles this number when he is not playing.

Babar Azam said, “I think you can only perform in the match when you practice hard. I play 500-600 balls daily during my practice. Even double balls when I am out of form. I believe practice is so important for anyone who wants to perform on the ground.”

Azam was recently declared ICC Cricketer of the Year for his exceptional performance in the year 2022. He believes in improving his performance and is not afraid of criticism. He said, “Criticism is always there, whether you perform or not. Everyone has their own opinion.”

He further added, “I think when you find any fault in your batting, it takes some time. People want things to get right immediately, which is not possible.”

Babar Azam’s father has played a great role in his success and the 28-year-old cricketer acknowledges this. Azam said, “My father rarely gets satisfied with my performance because he doesn’t want me to take things for granted. He always tries to give me some advice so that I can get better and better. Now, he sometimes praises me. But I think it’s good for you that your elders keep guiding you and want more from you.”

WhatsApp Beta Testing New Profile Icons Feature for Group Chats

WhatsApp Beta Testing New Profile Icons Feature for Group Chats
Image: Unsplash

WhatsApp is currently testing a new feature in its beta version that aims to make it easier for users to read through long group chats. The feature displays profile icons or pictures alongside each message in a group chat, allowing users to differentiate between messages from different members. This is especially helpful in groups where multiple members have the same name. The feature, called ‘profile icons’, is currently only available to a limited number of beta testers.

According to reports, the profile icons feature will first be released on iOS devices, with the Android version still under development. When a group member doesn’t have a profile photo or has hidden it, WhatsApp will display a default empty profile photo. This default icon is easily recognizable due to its unique characteristics, including its color, which is the same as the corresponding contact name.

Users have long struggled with reading through long group chats and identifying the sender of each message. This new feature is designed to make that process much simpler and more efficient. It is a welcome addition for those who frequently use WhatsApp for group communication.

Overall, this new feature is expected to enhance the user experience on WhatsApp and streamline communication in group chats. It is a clear demonstration of WhatsApp’s commitment to improving its service and providing its users with new and useful features.

While the feature is currently only in beta testing, it is expected to be released to the public in the near future.

Pakistan Court Suspends Arrest Operation of Former PM Imran Khan

A court in Pakistan has suspended a police operation to arrest former prime minister Imran Khan after violent clashes broke out between his supporters and law enforcement outside his residence. Police arrived at Khan’s house after a lower court in Islamabad issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for him not appearing before it despite several summonses. Khan is accused of illegally selling state gifts during his premiership from 2018 to 2022, which he denies.

On Wednesday, the Lahore high court ordered police to postpone their efforts to arrest Khan until the following day. The police accused Khan’s supporters of using petrol bombs against them and burning cars and transformers. The officers who came to arrest Khan clashed with supporters who had gathered outside his house. More than 60 police personnel were reportedly injured in the clashes, while at least eight protesters and 15 protesters were arrested.

Hearing the petition over Khan’s non-bailable arrest warrant, the Islamabad high court’s chief justice told Khan’s lawyer that supporters of “a political party,” referring to Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, were attacking police in Lahore, and that it was “an attack on the state.” The chief justice reserved a verdict on the case after Khan agreed to appear before the court on Saturday.

The former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, who is a close aide of Khan, said they had feared the possibility of an assassination attempt on Khan and that they “had specific information from Afghanistan regarding [an] assassination attempt.” Men throw objects amid smoke on a street littered with debris Supporters of Imran Khan during the clashes with police on Wednesday.

Muneeb Farooq, a political analyst, said if Khan was arrested, his safety would be the responsibility of the government. Farooq said Khan could have avoided the clashes by giving himself up for arrest. “The path Khan has chosen for himself, and [the] provocative speeches he is giving, mean anarchy and chaos,” he said. The legal proceedings against Khan began after he was ousted from office in a parliamentary vote early last year. Since then, he has held protest rallies across the country demanding a snap election, during one of which he was shot and wounded.

The current prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has rejected Khan’s demands, saying the election will be held as scheduled later this year. Political infighting is common in Pakistan, where no prime minister has yet fulfilled a full term and where the military has ruled for nearly half of the country’s history. Khan’s arrest has further heightened political tensions in the country, with both his supporters and detractors taking to the streets in protest.

Petrol Prices Increased by RS. 5 Per Litre

Petrol Prices
PC: PKRevenue

The government has approved an increase of RS 5 Per litre on petrol and RS 13 per litre on high speed diesel (HSD) with effective from March 16th.

According to a statement by Finance Ministry, “In the last fortnight, Platts Singapore prices registered an increase. This along with a depreciation of Pak Rupee has resulted in an increase of POL products in Pakistan.”

With the new increase in prices, petrol will be available at Rs272 per litre. Earlier it was sold at Rs267 per litre. Similarly, after the RS 13 per litre increase, the HSD will now be available at Rs 293, compared to Rs280 per litre earlier.

A Raid at BOL News head office in Karachi

The BOL News office in Karachi is raided by a customs intelligence team.

In accordance with court orders, the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Karachi conducted a raid at the BOL News headquarters on Monday.

A list of inventory goods was made during the operation by the directorate team and BOL News officials, who included DSNGs, studio equipment, cameras, camera control units, monitors, and other imported equipment on the premises.

A district and sessions judge issued a search warrant, which was followed by the raid. Sources with knowledge of the situation claim that the court’s decision to issue the injunction was motivated by fears that the BOL News headquarters included non-custom paid media equipment.

Customs agents were given instructions to thoroughly inspect every room and area of the building after executing the search warrant. They were also told to make a list of any non-custom-paid items they found. Additionally, they were instructed to legally retain any such devices. In accordance with the court order, the officials recorded videos and took images of the tools during the search.

Sources claim that the authorities will seize any equipment found to be in violation of the law and evaluate its market value and duty. Shoaib Ahmed Shaikh, the CEO of Axact and BOL TV, was detained by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) last week at the Islamabad airport on suspicion of buying a former sessions judge’s decision in the bogus degree case.

The CEO of BOL TV is accused of buying a favorable ruling in the Axact phony degree case from Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Pervez-ul-Qadir Memon.

The Axact CEO was previously detained by the FIA in 2015 after agents discovered hundreds of thousands of fake diplomas and student ID cards coming from a hidden office of the business in Karachi.

There were stacks of degree templates from various universities in the rooms of the property, as seen in a television video from the FIA raid on the Axact offices in Karachi in 2015.

NADRA to Provide Census Monitoring Dashboard Access to Provinces

The Chief Statistician of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has written a letter to the Chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to inform him about the decision made in the 8th meeting of the census monitoring committee held under the chairmanship of minister PD&SI on 11th of March this year.

According to the letter, it has been decided that the data required by the provincial governments, especially Sindh may be made part of the monitoring dashboard.

This step is taken to alleviate any doubts the provincial governments might have.

Pharma Industry Seeks Government Help in Price Adjustment Due to Rupee Devaluation

PC: Dawn

Pharma industry has asked the government to address price adjustment issues that have surfaced for to the devaluation of rupee. On Tuesday, Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister, chaired a meeting to discuss the various issues pharmaceutical sector is facing in Pakistan.

The meeting was also attended by Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdul Qadir Patel, Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Finance, Tariq Mehmood Pasha, SAPM on Revenue, Dr. Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan, SAPM on Government Effectiveness, Ahad Khan Cheema, Advisor to the PM on Establishment, Chairman FBR, CEO DRAP, and other senior officers.

The delegation of pharma industry included Chairman PPMA, Syed Farooq Bukhari, Erum Shakir Rahim, CEO GSK, Osman Waheed, CEO Ferozsons, Anis Ahmed, MD Abbott Anis Ahmed, Tauqeerul haq, CEO Sante, ex-Chairman PPMA, Zahid Saeed, ex-Chairman PPMA, Hamid Raza, Vice President FPCCI, Shahzad Akram, Ayesha Tammy Haq, ED Pharma Bureau, and others.

The meeting highlighted contribution of pharmaceutical companies toward the development of country, especially during the tough economic times. Chairman PPMA welcomed the government’s decision in resolving the LCs issue and in fixing paracetamol prices. He further asked the government’s assistance in adjusting prices of drugs that have been affected by the recent devaluation of Pak rupee. Ishaq Dar assured the delegation that resolving the operational issues faced by various industries is the first priority of his government and that they are working hard to made things easy for the common man even during the economic crisis.