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Business Community Criticizes SBP for Keeping Interest Rate at 11.5%
Lahore-Faisalabad Train Service Suspended After Flood Damages Railway Bridge
Pakistani Passport Ranking Falls to 101st in 2026 as Global Mobility Gap Widens
Saud Shakeel Likely to Rejoin Pakistan Test Squad for West Indies Series
Pakistan’s Tallest Building, Burj Quaid, Breaks Ground in Karachi’s DHA

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Business Community Criticizes SBP for Keeping Interest Rate at 11.5%

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Pakistan to Honor Top Freelancers After They Generate $1.1 Billion in IT Exports During FY2025-26

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JS Bank Complaint Leads to FIR Against Four Southland Flour Mill Partners Over Alleged Rs. 100 Million Loan Default

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Gold Prices Continue to Fall in Pakistan as Global Market Weakness Pushes Rates Lower

Saeeda Imtiaz Rubbishes Death Rumours, Says She Is Fine and Accounts Were Hacked

Image: Geo.Tv

Social media went crazy yesterday when the news of model and actor Saeeda Imtiaz’s death was posted from her official Facebook and verified Instagram accounts.

The posts said that the actor was “found dead in her room.” However, the actor has come back and posted a video to clear the air. She said, “My official statement. After all that I went through, I’ am drained out at the moment.”

The actor explained everything in the video and told her followers that how this fake news has impacted her family as they do not live here. The Tamasha Ghar actor introduced herself in the video and said that she is completely fine.

“I have to state with a lot of disappointment that when I woke up today, I received many messages,” she said. “I, myself, did not understand what had happened to me. It was very shocking. It was a very worrying situation for my family because they do not live here. My siblings, and mother panicked and I started receiving calls. I didn’t know what I should say.”

Imtiaz further elaborated, “My Facebook and Instagram accounts were hacked as they were linked. I don’t understand – I understand to the extent where people tease you, and bully you – but to hurt someone to this extent, where their family is affected, and the person is mentally affected – this is not right. You never know what the other person is going through already in their life and to mentally torture someone – I was just crying. My family was visited by people to see if I was fine or not because no one knew what was happening.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrLpjhjJwLt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

She also said, “I will find out who hacked my account and I’ll make sure I take action against them. May God do better for you and give you guidance.”

NADRA Launches New Fingerprint Identification System With 99.5% Accuracy

Image: NADRA

NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) has come up with a new fingerprint identification system with 99.5% accuracy. The system, named as “NADIR” is based on Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) technology, which is a major breakthrough in biometrics.

The newly launched system will assist public with automatic fingerprint identification.

NADRA has also launched a new service “Ijazat Aap Ki,” which allows people to easily complete verification process.

NADRA spokesperson told the media that this service will make verification process a hassle-free experience for users.

Both the newly launched services, NADIR and “Ijazat Aap Ki” are aimed at enhancing the efficiency and security of NADRA services.

Malala to Launch a New Book With Her “Most Personal” Story

Image: The Current

Malala Yousufzai is a survival of Taliban’s assassination attempt and an advocate of girls’education. She is currently working on her new book in which she plans to share her most personal story. The name of the book and its title is not announced yet.

Previously, Yousufzai has launched the bestselling “I Am Mala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban,” which received great response from across the globe.

Malala Yousufzai was awarded a Nobel Prize in 2014, after that launch of her book, when she was only 17 year old. She graduated from Oxford University and then later married Asser Malik, a manager with the Pakistan Cricket Board. She also owns a production company named “Extracurricular.”

“The last few years of my life have been marked by extraordinary transformation and all the anguish and joy that accompanies growth. This is my most personal book yet and I hope that readers will find recognition, reassurance, and insight in my story,” she said.

Atria claims that the new book will be a “breathtaking story of recovery and search for identity, a candid exploration of her coming-of-age in the public spotlight, and an intimate look at her life today.”

Malala Yousufzai was shot in 2012 by Taliban when she was returning home from school in Swat, Pakistan because she disagreed with the opinion of the group that Islam does not allow girls to get education.

PTI May Launch Another Long March If Elections Are Not Held on Time

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) may announce another march toward Islamabad if elections are not announced on time. PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry told this to the media outside Lahore High Court. While answering a question related to the elections, Chaudhry said that the government is liable to implement Supreme Court’s decision. However, if this does not happen, they would have to come on the roads again.

Chaudhry also criticized the current situation and said that in this atmosphere, there are no chances of negotiations with the “non serious” people.

He also said that his party leaders are being imprisoned for no reason. He further said that Pakistan People’s Party announces to negotiate one day and the very next day, the Sindh government arrests PTI leader, Ali Zaidi.

Scholarship Program for Non-Muslim Students

Scholarship Program for Non-Muslim Students

The Government of Punjab has recently launched a scholarship program for deserving non-Muslim students studying in government institutions in Punjab. The initiative aims to empower regular students to pursue their academic goals and contribute positively to society. The program is open to applicants who have a Punjab domicile, belong to minority communities such as Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, or other, and are enrolled in matric to Ph.D. level programs with a minimum of 40% marks in their most recent annual examination.

Successful applicants will be awarded annual scholarships of up to Rs. 50,000 if they are enrolled in professional-level programs such as MBBS, DVM, BDS, BSc (English), BSc (Nursing), Pharm-D, Ph.D., or equivalent. Those pursuing postgraduate programs or undergraduate programs will receive Rs. 35,000 or Rs. 30,000 per annum, respectively.

Interested applicants can obtain application forms from the office of the Section Officer or download them from the website of the Department of Human Rights and Minority Affairs, Punjab. Applicants must submit attested copies of their domicile, passport-size photos, Computerized National Identity Cards (CNIC) of their father/guardian, educational certificates, and result cards attested by a Grade 17 officer or above. In addition, heads of the educational institutions where the applicants are currently enrolled have been instructed to verify the documents of the student’s guardian/parent.

The deadline for submission of applications is May 12, 2023, and qualified non-Muslim students studying in government institutions in Punjab are urged to take advantage of this chance.

Meet Naila Kiani, the First Pakistani Woman to Summit Annapurna Peak in Nepal

Naila Kiani becomes the first ever female Pakistani to summit Annapurna peak in Nepal. Earlier share has also reached the peaks of Gasherbrum-1, K2, and Gasherbrum-II.

Annapurna is the tenth highest peak in the world standing at 8,091 metres above sea level. Kiani climbed the peak on Monday morning becoming the first Pakistani woman to summit four peaks above 8,000 meters.

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Kiani went on this mission with 6 other members including a young Pakistani climber Shehroze Kashif and an Indian climber Arjun Vajpai.

Naila is also plans to summit Mount Everest and Lhotse peak later this year.

PIA Lost 2 ATR Aircrafts Due to Lack of Professionalism

Image: Dawn

A recent audit by the country’s top auditor revealed that the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) lost two of its aircrafts due to technical negligence. The investigation further revealed that PIA’s two Regional Transport Airline aircrafts met accidents on November 24th, 2018 and July 20, 2019, making the national carrier lose over Rs. 10.1398 million.

While discussing both the accidents, the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) mentioned in it’s 2021-22 report that the national carrier itself is responsible for both the losses.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) compiled a detailed report of the incidents and held PIA responsible for the loss.

According to the audit, the CAA noticed that several reasons for the accidents including lack of professionalism, malfunctioning technical equipment, non implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs), wrong decisions and first officer’s mistakes. Even the pilots made mistakes that lead to the deadly accidents.

Woman Set on Fire Following Minor Dispute in Islamabad

A young woman in the Mehrabadi area of Sector G-12, recently brought under the jurisdiction of Golra Police Station, was set on fire following a minor dispute in a horrific incident. The victim suffered serious burn injuries and was taken to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for treatment, but has since been declared out of danger.

In response to the victim’s complaint, Islamabad Police acted quickly and registered an FIR, with charges including sections 336-B/324/34 PPC. The police have apprehended three individuals, including a woman who reportedly played a role in the crime, while two others are still being sought.

According to the details of the case, the assailant’s family lived in the victim’s home as tenants but had not paid rent. When the victim attempted to collect the rent, one of the tenants used abusive language and refused to pay. During the victim’s second visit to demand payment, the tenant’s family sprinkled petrol on her and set her on fire. The attackers fled the scene after witnessing the victim engulfed in flames.

The incident shocked the surrounding community, with volunteers and onlookers rushing to aid the victim and extinguish the flames. This gruesome attack underscores the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means and refraining from violence. Law enforcement must ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous act are held accountable and punished severely.

Pakistan may extend Eid holidays

Pakistan may extend Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, according to a national daily. The decision on the extension is expected to be announced soon. If approved, the extended holidays will run from Thursday, 20 April, to Tuesday, 25 April.

Earlier this week, the federal government had already announced the schedule for the Eid holidays, which will be observed from Friday, 21 April, to Tuesday, 25 April. The KP government will have a longer holiday period, from Friday, 21 April, to Wednesday, 26 April, while Punjab will follow the federal government’s schedule.

On Thursday, 20 April, the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee will hold its monthly meeting to sight the crescent of Shawaal, which marks the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid-ul-Fitr. The zonal committees will also meet on the same day to sight the moon in their respective zones.

The central meeting will take place at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony building in Islamabad, chaired by Molana Abdul Khabeer Azad. The decision on whether to extend the Eid holidays may be based on the sighting of the moon and other factors.

18,000 Cattle Die in a Deadly Explosion in Texas

Image: AFP

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued an official statement stating, “this was the deadliest barn fire for cattle in Texas history and the investigation and cleanup may take some time.”

The horrific explosion and fire erupted in the Southfork Dairy Farms in the Texas Panhandle and killed over 18,000 cattle. The rescue teams including police and firefighters immediately reached the location. According to the Castro County Sheriff’s Office, the teams “determined that one person was trapped inside.” He further said that the person was later saved and rushed to a hospital.

The reason of explosion and fire is still unknown. Miller also declared it as a “horrific event.” and said that “Once we know the cause and the facts surrounding this tragedy, we will make sure the public is fully informed – so tragedies like this can be avoided in the future.”

The Animal Welfare Institute tweeted, “Farms must do more to protect animals by adopting commonsense fire safety measures.”

Here Is How You Can Get Discounted Tickets of PIA This Eid

Image: File

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) recently announced that passengers can now avail amazing discount on tickets this Eid-ul-Fitr from 22nd to 23rd April, 2023. The national carrier has announced up to 10% off on fares for domestic passengers.

The federal government on Thursday has announced a five-day holiday on Eid-ul-Fitr. According to a notification issued by the Interior Ministry, the holidays will start from April 21st and will continue till April 25th.

Pakistan railway has also issued a schedule for five special trains to facilitate passenger on this Eid.

Meera Jee to Play Role of Meena Kumari in Pakeezah

Image: Dunya News

Pakistan is all set to remake Bollywood’s classic movie “Pakeezah” and our very own Meera Jee is likely to portray the role of Meena Kumari in it.

The actress herself confirmed the news and told media that she has been working on this project for a long time. She also hinted that the shooting of this movie has started from March 2023.

She further said that a US-based production house, Red Lipstick will also be part of this project and that the cast of the movie is still under consideration.

This news has put rest to the earlier rumours quoting that Mahira Khan will play the lead role in the Bollywood remake.

The legendary Bollywood film was made by Kamal Amrohi and is one of the finest works of Meena Kumari. The movie was reportedly put on hold after a misunderstanding between the two and as later completed when Pakeezah was several ill. The actress died one month after the movie was released and charged only Rs 1 for her role.

Pakistan Meteorological Department Warns of Potential Severe Weather Across the Country

Pakistan Meteorological Department Warns of Potential Severe Weather Across the Country

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an advisory predicting the arrival of a westerly wave in the upper parts of the country on April 15th. The system is expected to bring rain, dust, thunderstorms, and hailstorms to several areas, including Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, and Islamabad, from April 15th to April 20th.

The PMD warns that dust-windstorms and hailstorms may cause damage to infrastructure and crops, especially wheat. Landslides and flash floods are also possible in some regions on April 18th and 19th, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, and Galliyat. The PMD advises all concerned authorities to stay alert and take precautionary measures during this period.

Tourists are also advised to be cautious while traveling during the forecast period. The predicted weather conditions could have an impact on travel plans and may cause disruptions.

Pakistan’s First Electric Bike with Swappable Battery

Pakistan's First Electric Bike with Swappable Battery
Image: ZYP

ZYP Technologies, a Pakistani startup, has introduced the country’s first electric bike with a swappable battery, called Magvus. The bike is based on the popular Chinese 150cc bike, Road Prince Wego, and boasts features such as an IP67 waterproof motor, a lithium battery designed to last for five years, and a range of 120km in economy mode. Magvus also has a top speed of 100km/h and can go from 0-60km/h in just 6 seconds.

The company is also working on developing battery swap stations that will allow users to swap batteries in under two minutes. This concept serves as a “fuel station” for bikes and has been practiced in India and other countries for a long time. The development of these stations will help to address the issue of limited charging infrastructure in Pakistan and encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.

Although there is currently no information about the launch date and price of Magvus, the fact that the bike is almost production-ready suggests that the launch is imminent. The introduction of Magvus and the development of battery swap stations by ZYP Technologies represent significant steps towards the promotion of sustainable transportation and the reduction of carbon emissions in Pakistan.

World’s Most Expensive Sandwich Costs Whopping Rs 61,000!

Image: Guineas World Record

Lo and behold the most expensive sandwich in this world which costs around Rs 61,000. Served at Serendipity 3 restaurant, which is famous for its over-the-top concoctions, this fancy sandwich is called “The Quintessential Grilled Cheese Sandwich.” The fancy restaurant is brining back the sandwich for a limited time only, therefore you will have to rush to devour it.

Guinness World Record has certified this beauty as the most expensive sandwich on the planet.

So, what makes this sandwich so expensive and special? To start with, it is made with an exclusive and rare Caciocavallo Podolico Cheese produced by Podolica Cow from Southern Italy.

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Podolica Cows lactate during May-June, therefore this cheese is considered to be one of the rarest and finest in the

Another thing which makes this sandwich special is its serving on French Pullman champagne bread, which is made with Dom Perignon champagne. The sandwich is further adorned with edible gold flakes and is finally slathered with white truffle butter. The South African lobster tomato bisque dipping sauce then further enhance the taste and tantalise your taste buds.

If you intend to try this masterpiece, please give Serendipity 3 at least 48 hours notice to prepare it.

Electricity Price Increased by 46 Paisas

Image: Business Recorder

Another bad news for electricity consumers as the price of electricity has been increased by 46 paisas for quarterly price adjustment. After the recent increase, the consumers will bear an additional burden of Rs 15.46 billion.

NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) has approved the revised rate and has sent it to the federal government.

The consumers will have to pay this additional amount for the month of April, May, and June.

PCB Willing to Face Consequences for Honoring Asia Cup Boycott

PCB Willing to Face Consequences for Honoring Asia Cup Boycott

According to a recent statement by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi, the board is willing to face the consequences of their stance on preserving their honor with regards to the Asia Cup.

Sethi mentioned in an interview that boycotting the Asia Cup and World Cup could lead to a loss of $3 million for PCB and worsen their relationship with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Additionally, he noted that any major event featuring Pakistan and India holds great significance for the ICC, and boycotting it could create issues for both countries.

While the PCB was previously dependent on the ICC for financial support, the success of the Pakistan Super League has allowed the board to become financially independent.

Sethi also acknowledged that the public does not want the team to visit India for the World Cup if India does not visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup. Despite efforts to improve cricketing relations between the two neighboring countries, there has been little progress thus far.

Islamabad bakery sealed for risking public health by allowing workers with Hepatitis

Islamabad bakery sealed for risking public health by allowing workers with Hepatitis to continue working

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has taken action against Tehzeeb Bakers Blue Area for endangering public health. The bakery came under scrutiny after six of its workers were diagnosed with Hepatitis.

Despite being directed by authorities to halt the affected workers’ activities immediately, the bakery’s management allowed them to continue working, resulting in the Senior Special Magistrate of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) sealing Tehzeeb Bakers.

The Magistrate’s notice stated that the bakery had committed serious violations and was responsible for the transmission of Hepatitis on a large scale among the public. The sealing of Tehzeeb Bakers is expected to prevent the spread of Hepatitis among the public.

Google Issues Strict Policies for Loan Apps, Restricts Them from Accessing Sensitive User Data

Image: Mashriq TV

Google has recently issued stricter guidelines for personal loan apps in Pakistan according to which the apps are not allowed to access the sensitive data of users including contacts, videos and photos.

The tech giant announced, “We’re introducing additional requirements for personal loan apps targeting users in Pakistan. Personal loan apps in Pakistan must submit country-specific licensing documentation to prove their ability to provide or facilitate personal loans”.

The announcement was made after the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) contacted Google and other tech-related businesses to protect consumer interests by ensuring they are complying with rules and regulations.

The updated policy will become effective from May 31, 2023.

Google said, “Each Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) lender can only publish one Digital Lending App (DLA). Developers who attempt to publish more than one DLA per NBFC risk the termination of their developer account and any other associated accounts.”

It further said, “You must submit proof of approval from the SECP to offer or facilitate digital lending services in Pakistan.”

44% Of Registered Voters in Pakistan are Millennials and Gen Z

Image: Yousuf Khan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

According to the latest data released by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECO), the number of registered voters in Pakistan has reached over 125 million. Of this, 54 percent are male voters, which is around 60.7 million while female voters account for 46%, which is over 50.7 million.

Voter Demographics

According to the report by ECP, 70.15 million voters belong to Punjab, 20.63 voters belong to Sindh, 20.14 voters belong to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,5.23 million belong to Balochistan and 1.20 million belong to Islamabad.

Province-wise voter count

The data also suggests that 20 million registered voters belong to the age group 18-25 which accounts for 18% of the overall voters. Moreover, the number of voters between the ages 26-35 is more than 30 million, which is around 26 percent of the total registered voters. The number of those falling in the age bracket of 36-45 years is around 20 million constituting 22 percent of the total voters and 11.8 million voters belong to the age group 56-65 years accounting for 9% of the total voters.

Age-wise Distribution of voters

Additionally, the number of those who are above 66 years is12.1 million, making up 10% of the total voters.