Facts Hub

27/12/2023

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was detained on orders of the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner days after the Supreme Court approved his bail in the cipher case. The deputy commissioner issued the order 15-day detention of the PTI stalwart, who has been kept in Adiala since August 2023 following his arrest in the cipher case. The DC office said that Qureshi was nominated in case related to May 9 riots, which occurred after the PTI founder Imran Khan was arrested in a corruption case. It said that the release of the PTI leader may disrupt peace and order in society.

It further revealed that the city police officer had sought an order for the 45-day detention, adding that the district intelligence committee had also agreed with the report prepared by the police and security institutions. Last week, former Pakistani prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan and country's former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had secured bail in the high profile cipher case.

27/12/2023

The caretaker Sindh government has announced a public holiday on December 27 (tomorrow) to mark the death anniversary of slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
“The Government of Sindh has been pleased to declare 27thDecember, 2023 (Wednesday) as a Public Holiday throughout the Province of Sindh on the occasion of Shahadat of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed for all offices, Autonomous, Semi-Autonomous Bodies, Corporations and Local Councils under the Administrative control of Government of Sindh, except the essential services,” reads the official notification. It was December 27, 2007, when 20 party workers were killed and scores suffered injuries in the attack on the former premier while 1.5 decades on, the high-profile murder still remains a mystery.

The deadly incident occurred after Benazir Bhutto prepared to leave the venue following an emotional speech, and as she stands in her bomb-proof vehicle to cheer supporters, a gun and bomb attack followed. The daring politician was rushed to the hospital where she succumbed to the wounds.

20/12/2023

12/12/2023

The world is watching p**n, a lot of it. And in 2021, Pakistan has emerged as the top country where people are chilling out with p**n. Yes, you read it correct. Our neighbour has the maximum number of p**n lovers in the world. Watching p**n may be considered crime in many parts of the world, but people do everything to break the law and derive pleasure. According to google search engine, Pakistan is the undisputed king of p**n consumption followed by its all-weather friend China. Moreover, people in Pakistan don't shy away from experimenting as they freely search for animal p**n including dog, pig and donkey.

Top 10 p**n watching countries in the Entire World:

1.Pakistan
2. Egypt
3. Vietnam
4. Iran
5. Morocco
6.India
7. Saudi Arabia
8. Turkey
9. Philippines
10. Poland

12/12/2023

Yemen’s Houthi rebels seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship in a crucial Red Sea shipping route Sunday and took its 25 crew members hostage, officials said, raising fears that regional tensions heightened over the Israel-Hamas war were playing out on a new maritime front.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they hijacked the ship over its connection to Israel and would continue to target ships in international waters that were linked to or owned by Israelis until the end of Israel’s campaign against Gaza’s Hamas rulers.

“All ships belonging to the Israeli enemy or that deal with it will become legitimate targets,” the Houthis said.

12/12/2023

The civic agencies of twin cities have awarded contracts of 16 mega projects worth billions of rupees to the military-led entities - National Logistics Cell and the Frontier Works Organization - without inviting tenders that is mandatory under the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.

According to a report submitted to Islamabad High Court (IHC), Wapda has also awarded the contract of Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme worth Rs126bn to a joint venture of NLC, FWO, KS&EW and RailCorp.

The report was submitted by the counsel for a private firm that has challenged the award of contracts to NLC and FWO without inviting tenders and competitive process.

As per the petition, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) awarded a Rs10.2 billion contract for construction of 10th Avenue to NLC, Rs2.4bn project of expansion of Islamabad Expressway to the FWO, Rs770mn Sihala flyover contract to FWO, Rs1.5bn 7th Avenue Interchange project to FWO and NLC, Rs20bn Islamabad Metro Bus to FWO and NLC. Moreover Rs10.9bn GT Road expansion project was given to FWO, Rs6.5bn Bhara Kahu bypass project to NLC, Rs15.3bn low-cost housing project at Farash Town to FWO and Rs1.9bn Park Road expansion to NLC. Contracts for the construction of C-14, C-15 and development of I-15 sectors of the CDA were also awarded to the NLC and FWO.

12/12/2023

WhatsApp now lets iOS users link an email to their accounts for easy access, especially if SMS codes are tricky. Just go to WhatsApp Settings Account. While email association is available, creating an account and logging in still need a phone number.

12/12/2023

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan may face an unexpected development in the cipher case, as former army chief General (r) Qamar Javed Bajwa has expressed his “willingness to appear” as a witness. During a previous hearing, Khan mentioned his intention to include General Bajwa and US embassy officials as witnesses. Sources indicate that General Bajwa may indeed appear as a witness, pending approval from military authorities. Imran Khan is charged under the Official Secrets Act, of 1923, and the special court has scheduled his indictment for December 12. Khan had previously alleged that General Bajwa acted on directives from US diplomat Donald Lu. However, statements from prosecution witnesses, including the former secretary of foreign affairs and Pakistan’s ex-ambassador to the US, contradict Khan’s claims.

The cipher in question pertains to a conversation between Lu and the ambassador, deemed offensive, leading to recommendations for a demarche. The National Security Committee found no evidence of conspiracy during both Imran Khan’s and Shehbaz Sharif’s governments. Despite this, Khan insists he is a victim of a regime-change conspiracy, originally blaming the US and later suggesting the conspiracy originated within Pakistan.

Witness statements contradict Khan’s narrative, suggesting graver charges against him, including using secret communication for political gain, harming Pakistan’s relations with the US, and mishandling the document. Statements from Azam Khan, the then secretary to the PM, and Sohail Mehmood, the foreign secretary at the time, reveal Khan’s intent to create a political narrative against opposition parties using the cipher.

11/12/2023

The Salaar VS Dunki clash is so on! Yes, many predicted this might not happen, knowing the scale and importance of both films. They thought someone would move, leaving the Christmas vacant for the other, but with the Salaar trailer releasing, makers of Prabhas’ starrer are very clear they’re not going to move. Makers haven’t really released the Dunki trailer yet, but they’re releasing their promotional materials by numbering them as ‘drops.’ Drop 1 of Dunki was a 1 minute, 48-second teaser-like promo that has attracted around 50 million views in a month. For reference, Prabhas’ Salaar trailer achieved this milestone of 50 million views in just the first 19 hours, beating eight films in the top 10 most viewed Hindi trailers on YouTube in the first 24 hours.

09/12/2023

The fire brigade report regarding the deadly fire in Arshi shopping mall near Ayesha Manzil Karachi revealed shocking details, ARY News reported. As per details, the fire brigade department revealed the initial report of Arshi shopping mall fire however the report has no mention of the cause of the deadly fire. The report highlighted that the building lacked emergency lighting, power backup and essential fire safety equipment, the report stated.

Over 169 ground floor shops completely burned, while 30 out of 120 mezzanine floor shops remain safe. Fortunately, 73 out of 76 flats on floors one to four were unharmed, with only minor damage reported in one third-floor flat and two second-floor flats. During the rescue operation, a 500 individuals were safely evacuated, resulting in no casualties. However, four dead bodies were recovered from the shopping mall. Furthermore, 18 bikes and one vehicle were burned, yet nearby markets remained undamaged. Several families were affected by a deadly fire that erupted at the multi-story Arshi Shopping Mall located in the Ayesha Manzil area of Karachi, leaving at least five persons dead. The fire engulfed several residential apartments and 130 shops turning several jewellery and garment shops into ashes in the multi-storey building.

07/12/2023

An Iranian court looking into the killing of IRGC's Quds commander Qassem Soleimani has awarded damages of almost $50bn against the US government and linked individuals and bodies. Judicial officials also demanded an apology for the killing of the Soleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad International Airport in January 2020. Then US president Donald Trump justified the action by saying that Soleimani was actively planning attacks on American diplomats and service members in the region. Trump also claimed the veteran regime commander was already "directly and indirectly responsible for the deaths of millions of people”.

Now the 55th Branch of the Legal Court of International Relations of the Tehran Justice Department has ruled against the US government and 41 other individuals and entities, ordering them to pay a sum of $49.77 billion in connection with the killing. The court also ordered that the US government and the others held responsible for Soleimani’s death should issue a formal apology, with instructions to publish it in a widely circulated newspaper. The sentence comes after judicial officials had ruled in favor of more than 3,000 plaintiffs who had filed complaints claiming that they had suffered damages as a result of Soleimani’s death. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian previously stated in January that nearly 60 US officials had been blacklisted by Tehran for their involvement in the assassination of Soleimani.

07/12/2023

In response to the escalating challenges posed by rapid urbanization and the unchecked growth of small cities in Pakistan, the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat Pakistan (AKAHP) is taking proactive measures to enhance disaster preparedness. A comprehensive urban disaster simulation exercise has been arranged for more than 150 skilled members, including 10 female volunteers of the Search and Rescue Teams (SART). These teams represent the Pakistan Army, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat Pakistan, and the Capital Development Authority, which are assembled from different parts of Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. The three-day-long simulations aimed to maintain readiness, improve skills, and enhance the effectiveness of Urban Search and Rescue Teams in real-life emergency situations.

This Urban Search and Rescue Simulation emphasized areas including technical search and rescue, rescue operations, structural assessment, equipment finalization, medical triage and treatment, mass casualty management, incident command and management, and K-9 Search and Rescue.

Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik SI(M), Chairman NDMA, honored the closing ceremony of the Urban Disaster Simulation as the Chief Guest. The event was also graced by officials from CDA, Municipal Corporation Islamabad (MCI), UNOCHA; AKDN leadership; Pakistan Humanitarian Forum; INGOs. The event has a gathering of more than 300 people representing development and humanitarian aid sector, academia, media and community. Addressing the ceremony, Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik SI(M), Chairman NDMA, appreciated AKAHP for organizing this joint urban simulation, considering it as an endeavor to establish working mechanisms between governmental and humanitarian rescue agencies. Such initiatives are crucial for the standardization of processes and the adoption of good practices.

05/12/2023

Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) chief Manzoor Pashteen was arrested after police were fired at from his vehicle, Chaman Deputy Commissioner Raja Athar Abbas said on Monday. The statement came nearly four hours after the PTM itself alleged that Pashteen’s vehicle was fired at by law enforcement agencies (LEAs) while he was on his way from Chaman to Turbat — where protests have been taking place against an alleged extra-judicial killing.

Speaking to Dawn.com, Abbas said Levies and police personnel had arrested the PTM leader from the Gudhamo area. “Today, police were fired at from Pashteen’s car on Mall Road,” the official said, adding that a case had also been registered against the PTM leader. He said that Pashteen was arrested in connection with today’s incident as well as a ban on his entry into Balochistan. He said that the PTM leader would later be presented before a district magistrate.

04/12/2023

After completing his two-day visit to Kuwait, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Wednesday reached Dubai to attend COP28 summit on climate change. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), UAE Minister for Justice Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, and the Pakistani diplomatic staff welcomed the prime minister at Dubai’s Al-Maktoum Airport. The prime minister will head the Pakistani delegation at the 28th Conference of Parties and will attend the World Climate Action Summit on Dec 1 and 2.

04/12/2023

Now, it has released one, which it describes as failing to "check the facts" to make a deal, which resulted in the Hamamis being at fault.

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03/12/2023

A first-year scout was found hanging in his room at Pakistan Scout Cadet College’s hostel in Batrasi in the early hours on Wednesday, the police said. “We have started an investigation to ascertain whether it is a su***de or murder,” DSP Arshad Khan told reporters. The staff and officials of the cadet college informed the police they had shifted the body of Mohammad Tauseef to the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital for autopsy. The body was later handed over to family. DSP Arshad Khan said FIR of the incident had been registered.

He said circumstantial evidence and statements of the family and the hostel staff were being recorded to ascertain what caused the death. According to the college’s management, the student committed su***de by hanging himself with his uniform’s belt. Meanwhile, a first-year student of a college reportedly died by su***de in Chitral on Wednesday morning. City police station SHO Bulbul Hassan told Dawn that father of the deceased, hailing from Jughoor village, approached the police, complaining that a lady doctor in their neighbourood had called his son, Rashid Ahmed, to her house and allegedly intimidated him. The SHO said as per the complaint, the boy remained tense throughout the night after returning from the lady doctor’s house and did not go to college on Wednesday, and later ended his life by hanging himself from ceiling fan hook.

03/12/2023

Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a passenger bus on KKH in Diamer. In a statement, he mentioned that a special team has been formed to investigate the incident. The government is taking swift action, and the terrorists involved will be punished severely. All resources will be utilized to apprehend the culprits. The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan will cover all expenses for the injured passengers and ensure they receive proper medical facilities.
Law enforcement agencies have been directed to immediately arrest the culprits.
Expressing sympathy for the families of the deceased and the injured, Chief Minister asserted that the government stands with the family members during this difficult time. He emphasizes that the provincial government is implementing all possible measures to establish peace in Gilgit-Baltistan, and no one will be allowed to disrupt the peace.

30/11/2023

The Federal Board of Revenue on Thursday withdrew its orders to freeze the Pakistan International Airlines’ bank accounts but at the same time clarified that these directives did not bar it from pursuing recovery proceedings. The national carrier has been lately embroiled in a financial crisis. On Wednesday, the FBR had frozen 28 PIA accounts. Additionally, Pakistan State Oil had threatened to stop the airline’s oil supply if outstanding dues were not settled.

These actions came at a time when a team from the European Union’s Avi­ation Safety Agency (EAS­A) was in Pakistan to assess issues related to flight safety. The EASA had barred PIA from operating flights to Europe after a plane crashed in Karachi on May 22, 2020. The restrictions were imposed in light of an explosive claim by former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan in parliament that 40 per cent of Pakistani pilots had questionable qualifications. In a notification today, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, the FBR’s deputy commissioner for Inland Revenue said: “This office has been directed to withdraw the notice mentioned above and to de-attach the bank accounts of the subject taxpayer with immediate effect.”

However, the board highlighted that the said de-attachment did not bar the department from pursuing “recovery proceedings” under Section 14(3) of the Federal Excise Act, 2005. The law pertains to the recovery of “unpaid duty or of erroneously refunded duty or arrears of duty”.

30/11/2023

In the heart of Saudi Arabia, a newly inaugurated museum pays homage to the illustrious career of football maestro Cristiano Ronaldo. Devotees of the legendary player can embark on a unique journey through a treasure trove of personal memorabilia, including match-worn jerseys, coveted awards, and iconic footwear, offering an intimate peek into the life and legacy of this football icon. From the inaugural steps onto the pitch to the record-breaking milestones, the CR7 Museum spans Ronaldo's entire career across major soccer leagues, including his current exploits with the Saudi club Al Nassr. Visitors are treated to a visual odyssey, reliving Ronaldo's historic moments through interactive displays that vividly showcase his most memorable matches and championships.

"This is My Story. From Madeira to Saudi Arabia, my CR7 Signature Museum is now open in Riyadh," declared the museum's official Instagram account, echoing Ronaldo's sentiments to his staggering 600 million followers.

The museum provides a comprehensive narrative, encapsulating Ronaldo's journey from humble beginnings to global stardom. Noteworthy achievements, including his five prestigious Ballon d'Or awards, are proudly displayed, inviting admirers to bask in the glory of the soccer legend's triumphs.

30/11/2023

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced the team management for the national squad’s upcoming Australia Test tour scheduled to take place during December-January. Chairman of the PCB Interim Management Committee Zaka Ashraf sacked the entire foreign coaching staff after the national team’s dismal show at the ICC World Cup staged in India recently, and preferred to engage home-based personnel.

Interestingly however, he opted for some foreign coaches in the team management including Adam Hollioake (batting coach), Simon Grant Helmot (high performance coach), while retaining Drikus Saaiman (strength and conditioning coach/trainer) and Cliffe Deacon (physio) from the previous team management. Pakistan in the three-Test series in Australia will play the first Test in Perth from Dec 14-18 followed by matches in Melbourne (Dec 26-30) and Sydney (Jan 3-7). The squad is set to leave for Australia from Lahore on Thursday.

30/11/2023

Realme has announced that it has shipped over 200 million smartphones globally. After achieving the 100 million sales milestone in 2021, Realme has continued to grow despite all odds and has become the fifth-fastest brand to achieve the 200 million shipment milestone. This achievement has officially placed Realme in the elite '200 Million Club' in the international arena. Amidst an increasingly competitive market, realme has steadfastly progressed, repeatedly achieving "miracles against the wind." To add to that accolade, realme C51 gave a chart-topping performance in Pakistan raking in sales in the first three days to outnumber all previous sales records set by realme in Pakistan since entering the market in 2019. From Red Ocean to Record Highs, realme officially join the elite ‘200M Club’ in the international arena

From its emergence in the highly saturated global market of 2018, which featured over 701 smartphone brands and a stable hierarchy of leading brands, realme has been struggling to explore the global market but now steadily established itself. Committed to offering superior experiences for young people worldwide, realme has been among the top ten global sellers for five consecutive years, emerging as a market leader.

Driven by product innovation and deep consumer insights, realme has continuously created sales legends. It took just 37 months to amass 100 million users globally, gaining widespread recognition and embarking on the next phase of growth. In 2022, realme introduced a 'Simply Better strategy', focusing on superior resources to deliver lead-forward product experiences. Streamlining its product line, realme focused on the GT and Number series.

29/11/2023

The caretaker government is expected to cut petrol and diesel prices by up to Rs20 per litre for the first two weeks of December 2023. The move aimed to pass on the relief of a drop in oil price in international market while people in crisis-hit nation are bearing the brunt due to record inflation with little rise in income.

Globally, oil prices remained under pressure, plunging below $75 a barrel in mid-November in the wake of concerns about leisurely global economic growth, especially in China. In second half of November 2023, WTI crude traded at $76.5 a barrel, with drop of around 7pc as compared to October 29. Brent also plunged by 5.4 percent in the past month, trading at $86.35 a barrel on November 29.

For prices in Pakistan, the federal government will announce the final decision on November 30. With up to Rs20 per litre drop on cards, the expected price is supposed to be around Rs260, a move that will help authorities to bring inflation under control.

29/11/2023

One of the biggest motorbike manufacturers in Pakistan, Atlas Honda, has launched the "BENLY e," the company's first electric motorcycle. However, the business did not say when the bike will be available for purchase in Pakistan. The unveiling took place at a ceremony hosted at Atlas Honda's Sheikhupura Factory to honour Atlas Honda's 60th year of operations in Pakistan, the firm stated on Tuesday.

On this occasion, Noriaki Abe, Chief Officer of Motorcycle and Power Products at Atlas Honda, announced that in order to provide society and consumers with the best that Honda has to offer, new products would be introduced based on market input and Honda BENLY e will be made available for test marketing. "Many people in Pakistan now consider Honda products to be an essential element of their everyday lives," stated Abe. The joint venture between Atlas Group and Honda Motor Company has led the way in the production of motorcycles and auto components since 1963. Speaking on the occasion, Honda Motor Company Executive Vice President and COO Shinji Aoyama stated that "Honda Motor was well positioned for the future" and that "the mobility industry is going through a rapid transformation."

29/11/2023

Imran Khan, the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has unexpectedly decided not to run for the top position in the intra-party elections. This means that he will no longer hold the important role that he has had since the party's founding more than 20 years ago. Imran, the first prime minister to be removed from office by a vote of no confidence in April of last year, would not participate in the intra-party elections, according to PTI Senior Vice-President Sher Afzal Marwat. The PTI's Core Committee formally approved on Monday to hold the intra-party elections within the 20-day window that the Pakistani Election Commission had set. Party will forfeit its bat symbol if it disobeys instructions. On the other hand, Barrister Gohar Khan stated that the decision will be made on Friday, which is three days from now, even though the elections are scheduled. However, there is still no confirmation on the top position.

27/11/2023

The meeting of the IMF Executive Board is expected on December 7 for the approval of staff-level agreement and next tranche of 700 million dollars bailout funds for Pakistan. On the other hand, the caretaker government has reportedly decided to prepare an economic blueprint for the new government to continue the economic policies. In this regard, the Ministry of Finance and Resources says that discussions on a new loan program can begin with the IMF.

According to media reports, preparations are being made for further increase electricity and gas prices before the IMF executive board meeting, digital markets, property and real estate sector will also be brought into the tax net. Reports suggest that a 25 billion dollars financing will be availed from Gulf countries, China and commercial banks to meet the external financing needs of this financial year. The caretaker government has assured the IMF that the general elections will be held on time, while China has assured further debt rollover for two years.

23/11/2023

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir presided over the 82nd Formation Commanders Conference at GHQ, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said the conference was attended by Corps Commanders, Principal Staff Officers and all Formation Commanders of Pakistan Army. The forum paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of martyrs including officers and men of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and Pakistani citizens.

The participants were briefed on professional matters, national security challenges and measures being undertaken to counter traditional and non-traditional security threats. The forum took holistic view of the ongoing counter terrorism operations and resolved that all terrorists, their facilitators and abettors, working on the behest of hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan will be dealt with full might of the state. COAS expressed satisfaction over operational preparedness and high standards of training and morale maintained by formations to deal with the emerging threat paradigm.