Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Telecard all set to restructure its TFC loan

KARACHI: Creditors are expected to soon restructure Telecard’s outstanding term finance certificate (TFC) loan of Rs700 million, which would pave the way for the regulatory approvals for the planned initial public offering (IPO) of its subsidiary, Supernet, the company sources said on Tuesday. The company had raised Rs2.4 billion through its TeleTFC, paying back Rs1.7 … Read more

Food inflation likely at 8.27% in September

food

KARACHI: The headline inflation for September 2021 is likely to increase 8.27 per cent, compared with 9.04 per cent in August 2021 and 8.35 per cent in September 2020. Analysts at Arif Habib Limited estimated the Consumer Price Index (CPI) based on the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) data published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics … Read more

IPS officer points out mistake in Akshay Kumar’s movie Sooryavanshi picture

IPS officer points out mistake in Akshay Kumar’s movie Sooryavanshi

Akshay Kumar clarified that the photograph was solely from behind-the-scenes and that they were very strict about adhering to laws and protocols when filming Sooryavanshi. Sooryavanshi, directed by Rohit Shetty, is expected to hit theatres later this year. The photo of Akshay Kumar with all three officers from his cinematic world ‘Sooryavanshi’ Akshay, ‘Singham’ Ajay … Read more

Singer R. Kelly found guilty on all counts in sex abuse trial

Singer R. Kelly found guilty on all counts in sex abuse trial

R. Kelly on Monday was convicted of leading a decades-long sex crime ring, with a New York jury finding the superstar singer guilty on all nine charges, including the most serious of racketeering. After six weeks of disturbing testimony, the jury deliberated just nine hours before finding the incarcerated 54-year-old celebrity guilty of systematically recruiting … Read more

Saudi Arabia aims to improve competency in industrial sector

Saudi inflation rate rises in September from its lowest level in 20 months

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef revealed on Monday that the kingdom plans to build a competency-based industrial sector, Al Ekhbariya, local TV reported. He made the remarks during a meeting about the newly launched Human Capability Development Programme, highlighting that Saudi companies have high capabilities and international competitiveness. Meanwhile, … Read more

How to say get out in a subtle way? India’s diplomat Sneha Dubay tells Indian Journalist

How to say get out in a subtle way? India's diplomat Sneha Dubay tells Indian Journalist

India’s First Secretary at the UN Sneha Dubey showed what is the status of the Indian news media when news anchor Anjana Om Kashyap barged into her Official UN resting space. Most certainly diplomats have the protocol of not speaking directly to the media but it seems like Indian media doesn’t know the basic ethics … Read more

Pakistan discussing expansion of CPEC to Afghanistan

https://oldsite.bolnews.com/latest/2020/07/diamer-bhasha-dam-another-historic-milestone-for-pakistan/

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said it is in talks with the Taliban-led Afghanistan to join the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project to develop Afghanistan’s economy. “Regional connectivity is an important element of our discussion with Afghan leadership and our way forward for our economic interaction with Afghanistan,” Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Pakistan’s envoy to Kabul, told in … Read more

Rust-resistant seeds can significantly increase wheat production: minister

crops

ISLAMABAD: Through managing the controllable factors, which included the availability of the high quality of seeds that are rust-resistant and certified, effective utilisation of water and proper usage of fertilisers and pesticides, the overall production of wheat can be significantly increased, a senior government official said. In this regard, a meeting of the Wheat Review … Read more

Full US recovery to take time: Fed official

US

NEW YORK: A full US economic recovery “will take time to complete,” a top Federal Reserve official said on Monday, adding that effects from the far-reaching Delta variant of Covid-19 have surfaced in recent data. “The recovery continues to show solid momentum,” John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, said in a … Read more

Govt ready to increase per acre yield: official

Agriculture

ISLAMABAD: As the wheat sowing season nears, farmers are being made aware of the use of modern technology along with the introduction of high yielding varieties of wheat so that the production can be increased as per the requirements of the country, an official said. Addressing a press conference after the seminar held at Ayub … Read more

US Deputy Secretary of State to visit Pakistan, India after Taliban takeover

US Deputy Secretary of State to visit Pakistan, India after Taliban takeover

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will travel next month to Pakistan and India, bitter rivals that have clashed on the way forward in Afghanistan, the State Department announced Monday. Sherman, after CIA chief Bill Burns, will be one of the first high-level officials under President Joe Biden to visit Pakistan, which has long … Read more

Pakistan to start COVID vaccination of children aged 12 years and older

Pakistan to start COVID vaccination of children aged 12 years and older

Pakistan will begin to offer COVID-19 vaccines to children aged 12 years and older, said Federal Minister and NCOC head Asad Umar. The minister said in a Tweet, “In today’s NCOC meeting decided to start vaccination of all 12 years and older. The special drive will be run for vaccination at schools to make it … Read more

Zubair Umar leaked video: Avari Hotels management responds to the scandal

Zubair Umar leaked video

The Avari hotel management breaks silence about the recent leaked video controversy of Maryam Nawaz spokesperson Zubair Umar.

The leaked video of Zubair Umar allegedly showed him being engaged in inappropriate acts with an unknown woman.

Also, it was said to be recorded and later doctored in one of the rooms of a 5-star accommodation facility.

“The Avari family, Avari Hotels, its executives and team members wish to clarify that there are no hidden cameras placed in the rooms in their direct or indirect knowledge,” the statement issued by the management read.

It further said, “Avari group never promotes spying or breaking the privacy of its guests/clients.”

On the other hand, Muhammad Zubair Umar termed his alleged leaked video that went viral like a wildfire on social media as ‘fake’ and a ‘new low’ in politics.

In a statement issued on Monday, the PML-N leader said, “This is no politics. In fact a new low !! By launching a fake & doctored video against me.”

Former Sindh Governor added, “Whoever is behind this has done an extremely poor & shameful act. I have served my country with honesty, integrity & commitment. Will continue to raise my voice for the betterment of Pakistan.”

https://twitter.com/Real_MZubair/status/1442237405432463364?s=20

Earlier this year, the PML-N leader was embroiled in another controversy when reports had emerged that his daughter and son-in-law were vaccinated out of turn even though they were neither health workers nor elderly.

At the time, a health department official had said the facilitator was suspended and a probe would be conducted.

Read more

Ghana Ali knows how to deal with nasty remarks amid pregnancy announcement

Ghana Ali pregnancy

Pakistani actress, Ghana Ali is a mom in the making. She shared the news of her first pregnancy with followers on social media in a heartfelt message.

Ghana Ali, who tied the knot to millionaire Umair Gulzar, shared multiple snaps flaunting her growing baby bump with a beautiful message.

“We are so happy to announce that our little bundle of joy will arrive soon! Alhumdulillah!!! cannot thank Allah Pak enough for blessing us with this happiness, We can’t wait to meet our new addition. Please remember us in your prayers,” the note read.

However, the keyboard warriors are always ready to hit the celebrities with their nasty comments and displeasing remarks.

And this is why the Sun Yaara star cleared the air on when she got married as the internet went into a frenzy after her pregnancy announcement.

Ghana Ali

On the other hand, the joyful news was met by a string of congratulations and prayers by celebrities such as Areeba Habib, Sadia Ghaffar and others.

Ghana Ali also requested her Insta fam to pray for her little family and her soon-to-arrive baby.

It is pertinent to mention here that Ghana’s husband already has a wife and a 4-year-old son, sources said.

Read more

Usman Mirza pleads not guilty in couple sexual harassment case

Usman Mirza pleads not guilty in couple sexual harassment case

A local court in Islamabad has indicted seven accused, including Usman Mirza, the main accused in a case pertaining to torturing and blackmailing a couple in Sector E-11. Additional Sessions Judge of the District and Sessions Court, Ata Rabbani, indicted him. The accused have pleaded not guilty. During the hearing, the charge sheet was read … Read more

Kendall Jenner puts her abs on display in this steamy outfit

Kendall Jenner

Famed supermodel Kendall Jenner caught a number of eyeballs as she posed in a tiny blue bikini on a speedboat.

Taking to Instagram, she treated her fanbase as she put her abs on display in a steamy outfit while posing on a luxurious speedboat in a backwards baseball cap. “captain kennyyy,” Kendall Jenner captioned the post

Previously, Jenner’s beau Devin Booker revealed he has COVID-19 but declined to share vaccination status.

“Honestly y’all, I’m feeling straight. The only thing I’m dealing with is no taste, no smell, which is the worst part of it,” he said in the Twitch video.

“I’m about a week in. I’mma be back in no time, no time… Having no smell, no taste, it makes your day dry. It makes your day gray. It makes it gray, for real.”

Devin chose not to reveal his vaccination status during the video: “I’m not gonna tell you guys if I have the vaccine or not, but you could still get COVID with the vaccine, for anybody that’s saying that. Educate yourself.”

Earlier, the 25-year-old had revealed the fact that she’s an aunt to a total of 18 nieces and nephews.

She had explained that she always wants “to be the cool aunt and liked by all of them,” but that boyfriend Devin Booker sometimes steals her thunder.

When asked whether the 24-year-old NBA star connects with the little ones in her family, given that there a lot of youngsters.

She replied: “He loves them. He and Stormi have an amazing relationship. She has the biggest crush on him, and I’m jealous sometimes. I’m like, ‘Stop—can you guys not?”

Read more

Digital infrastructure enabled Saudi Arabia to confront pandemic

Global Cyber Security

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s strong digital infrastructure has enabled the public and private sectors to meet the devastating challenges of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, Arab News quoted the kingdom’s envoy to the UN, as saying. “Guided by the national transformation program, the Kingdom’s technological progress has contributed to raising the level of transparency and digital … Read more

Sipchem begins hydrogen supply to Aramco firm

Saudi Aramco

RIYADH: Sahara International Petrochemical Co has begun supplying hydrogen to Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery Co, Arab News quoted the company’s bourse filing. The company attributed the delay in completing the project to the coronavirus pandemic, which further delayed the process of receiving equipment, thus resulting in productivity loss in construction. The financial impact of this … Read more

Ailing comedian Umer Sharif heads to Washington

Umer Sharif heads to US

Veteran comedian Umer Sharif is leaving for the US today (Tuesday) after his health improves slightly.

PPP leader Murtaza Wahab confirmed his departure via his Twitter handle. “Umer Sharif sb is on his way to the airport for his flight to Washington. Plz remember him in ur prayers,” he wrote.

Also, sources told that the ailing comedian had been shifted to an ambulance from where he was taken to the airport.

A team of foreign doctors had conducted a medical check-up of Sharif at a private hospital and interacted with him.

His family sources disclosed that the doctors’ team had declared Sharif fit for air travel.

Umer Sharif also held a telephonic conversation with his physician, Dr. Tariq Shahab, in the US.

Meanwhile, talking to journalists, his son Jawad Umar said that his condition is a little better as compared to yesterday.

A day earlier, the comedian had been shifted to the ICU of a private hospital after his health condition deteriorated, hours before he was to leave for the United States.

Previously, the Sindh government had approved the release of Rs40 million for Sharif’s treatment. The funds are to be used to cover the expense of an air ambulance and other related costs for Sharif’s treatment abroad, stated the order issued by the provincial finance department.

“We are committed to bearing the expenses of Umer Sharif Sahib’s treatment expenditures,” said Sindh government spokesperson, Wahab said. He confirmed that the funds have been released and transferred to the family.

Read more

Dubai’s Amanat eying up $272 million of investments in Middle East

RIYADH: Dubai-based Investment firm Amanat Holdings can call on a billion dirhams warchest to fund new acquisitions across the Middle East, Arab News quoted its chief executive, as saying. Speaking on CNBC Arabia, Mohamad Hamade said his firm will target investments in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt as he claimed Amanat’s investment portfolio delivered … Read more

Cryptocurrencies make a comeback from last week’s turmoil

Nayib Bukele

RIYADH: The two major cryptocurrencies regained most of their losses, as the market quickly rebounded from last week’s turmoil sparked by the crackdown in China, Arab Newsreported. Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency in trading internationally, traded higher on Monday, rising by 3.5 per cent to $44,008.57 at 12:32pm Riyadh time. Ether, the second most-traded cryptocurrency, traded … Read more

Hasan Ali turns down Babar’s request, will play in National T20 Cup

Hasan Ali turns down Babar's request, will play in National T20 Cup

Central Punjab fast bowler Hasan Ali refused to step down despite his injury. He will play for the team in the National T20 Cup. Central Punjab skipper Babar Azam had asked Hasan to take a rest, according to sources, as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is drawing near, and Pakistan will give its best … Read more

Inzamam-ul-Haq stable in hospital after suffering heart attack

Inzamam-ul-Haq stable in hospitle after suffering heart attack

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former Pakistan captain and best batsman of all time, is in the hospital after suffering a heart attack. He underwent a successful angioplasty. Inzamam had been complaining about his chest pain for the past three days. Initial testing did not reveal anything threatening, but testing done on Monday revealed that he suffered a … Read more

French firms keen to set up regional headquarter in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia To Lift Travel Ban From May 17

PARIS: Saudi investment minister on Sunday revealed that a French construction company will join 40 other global companies in establishing their regional headquarters in Riyadh, Arab News reported. Khalid Al-Falih, however, did not name the company. Talking to Al-Arabiyah News Channel, the minister said the French renewable energy firms are keen on investing in the kingdom. The companies such … Read more

PIF acquires 25% of Emaar Economic City

DUBAI: The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has completed the acquisition of Emaar’s The Economic City, Arab News quoted the company’s statement, as saying. Under the investment deal, the sovereign wealth fund becomes a major shareholder in the company with a 25 per cent stake. Emaar EC transferred part of its loan, worth SR2.8 billion, from the Ministry … Read more

Transition to renewables to save kingdom’s businesses $13 billion

Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: The transition to renewable energy will save companies $13 billion, Arab News quoted the CEO of the National Centre for Debt Management, as saying. Speaking at the Financial Sector Conference in Riyadh, Hani Al-Madini said that many local entities are already transforming towards sustainable energy, which can decrease the expenses by SR50 billion. His … Read more

Saudi Arabia to borrow extra $6 billion; plans green bonds

IMF expects Saudi economy to grow 2.8% in 2021

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is SR24 billion ($6.4 billion) short of its borrowing plan for 2021 and considering issuing more green bonds, Arab News quoted the head of the Saudi national debt office Hani Al-Medaini, as saying during an interview. The kingdom plans to raise SR124 billion and it managed to get SR100 billion of that … Read more