Tue, 21-Oct-2025

IMF rejects tax relief on foreign investment projects

IMF rejects tax relief on foreign investment projects

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has turned down Pakistan’s request for tax exemptions on foreign investment projects. During a detailed briefing to the IMF delegation, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) argued that tax relief would help attract foreign investors. However, the IMF rejected the request, emphasizing the importance of fiscal discipline. SIFC officials highlighted … Read more

Google Wallet launched in Pakistan: details here!

Google Wallet launched in Pakistan: details here!

Google has officially launched its mobile payment service, Google Wallet, in Pakistan, bringing a new level of convenience to digital transactions. The service not only enables online payments but also allows users to make in-app and contactless payments in person via their mobile devices. This move is set to enhance the digital payments landscape in … Read more

Jaffar Express operation complete, hostages rescued: DG ISPR

Two soldiers martyred, nine terrorists killed in two separate KP IBOs

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the clearance operation, launched after the Jaffar Express train was attacked and hijacked, has been completed with all terrorists present killed. Speaking to a private news channel, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, confirmed the … Read more

‘Pakistan’s Tobacco Tax Policy Boosts Illicit Trade’

‘Pakistan’s Tobacco Tax Policy Boosts Illicit Trade’

Pakistan’s economy is losing over a staggering Rs. 300 billion annually due to an unsustainable tax regime, which has inadvertently incentivised illegal trade in the cigarette sector; a crisis that threatens not just tax revenues but also challenges the writ of the state. This alarming revelation was made in a report titled “Towards an Optimal … Read more

K-Electric seeks another major tariff cut

K-Electric seeks another major tariff cut

Karachi’s electricity consumers may soon get relief as K-Electric (KE) has submitted a petition to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) seeking a Rs4.84 per unit reduction in power tariffs. The proposed refund comes after KE charged higher per-unit electricity rates in January 2025. Under the monthly fuel charges adjustment (FCA) for January, the … Read more

US confirms first case of more aggressive mpox strain

Pharmacist Can Positively Influence Mpox Vaccinations

US health officials confirmed the country’s first case of a more severe strain of mpox on Saturday, involving an individual who had recently traveled to Africa. California health authorities identified the case as clade I mpox through laboratory testing. The patient, treated in San Mateo County, is currently recovering at home, according to the California … Read more

Two dengue cases reported in Rawalpindi 

Two dengue cases reported in Rawalpindi 

Two confirmed dengue patients have been reported in Rawalpindi since January 2025. Lowered temperatures due to recent rains caused the rapid growth in dengue fever. According to the District Health Authority (DHA), anti-dengue activities have been accelerated to reduce dengue risk. An anti-dengue meeting was held on Tuesday, chaired by Commissioner Engr Amir Khattak, in … Read more

PML-N and PPP to hold key huddle on March 15

PML-N, PPP announce to joint contest by-elections

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are set to hold an important meeting on Saturday, March 15. According to reports, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz will be in attendance. Other key PML-N figures expected to participate include Ishaq Dar, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Rana Sanaullah, Malik … Read more

Punjab bans use of  specific injections following drug reaction incident

Punjab

LAHORE: The Directorate of Drug Control has ordered immediate ban on the use of private company injections all over the Punjab province after drug reaction incident at Mayo Hospital. The Directorate of Drug Control issued instructions to the pharmaceuticals across the province, stating that the use of injections is suspected to be a threat to … Read more

Urvashi Rautela becomes first Indian actress to own Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Urvashi Rautela
  • Urvashi Rautela has reached a new milestone.
  • She has become the first Indian actress to purchase a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
  • It is an ultra-luxury SUV priced at $1.45 million.

Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela has reached a new milestone by becoming the first Indian actress to purchase a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, an ultra-luxury SUV priced at $1.45 million.

This acquisition places her among an exclusive club of Indian celebrities, including business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and actor Vivek Oberoi, who also own this prestigious vehicle.

Rautela, who debuted in Singh Saab the Great, has steadily made a name for herself in the industry, not just through her acting but also with her strong social media presence. Recently, she earned a spot on Instagram’s Forbes Rich List, cementing her influence in both entertainment and the digital sphere.

 

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The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is regarded as a symbol of elegance and opulence. Mukesh Ambani is known to own multiple Cullinan models, including Black Badge editions, while Shah Rukh Khan added a Black Badge version to his collection. Vivek Oberoi and Ajay Devgn are also among the select few Indians to own this coveted SUV.

Meanwhile, Rautela has been in the spotlight for her performance in Daaku Maharaj, particularly for the song Dabidi Dibidi, which sparked controversy for its bold choreography. Responding to the backlash, she defended the routine in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India. “When you look at my rehearsal clips, everything went really well. It was like how we usually choreograph for any song,” she explained.

Directed by Bobby Kolli, Daaku Maharaj features an ensemble cast including Bobby Deol, Pragya Jaiswal, and Shraddha Srinath, making it one of the most talked-about films in recent months.

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China strongly condemns terrorist attack on Jaffar Express in Balochistan

China

BEIJING: China on Wednesday strongly condemned terrorist attack on Jaffar express in Balochistan province and vowed to continue its firm support to Pakistan in combating terrorism, maintaining solidarity and social stability and protecting the safety of civilians. “We noted the reports and strongly condemn this terrorist attack,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said during … Read more

When SRK’s movie Devdas caused many weddings to be cancelled

Devdas
  • Devdas led to the postponement of hundreds of weddings in Mumbai.
  • The sheer scale of the production required an enormous power supply.
  • The impact was so significant that many weddings were postponed.

A film production so massive that it disrupted an entire industry sounds unbelievable, but that’s exactly what happened over two decades ago when Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas inadvertently led to the postponement of hundreds of weddings in Mumbai.

The 2002 magnum opus, based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel, starred Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit, and was known for its grand production scale.

Recently, Devdas cinematographer Binod Pradhan reflected on the film’s extravagant set design in a conversation with Friday Talkies. He described the breathtaking set of Chandramukhi’s kotha, which stretched nearly a kilometer in length.

“My entourage of assistants, we went to see how the set was being constructed, and we were shocked. We were wondering how to light it. I took a round of the set from the lakeside and told my assistant to put a 100-watt bulb at the end. That’s how we started lighting the set,” Pradhan recalled.

The sheer scale of the production required an enormous power supply, monopolizing generators across Mumbai. “They say that I used all the available generators in Mumbai for that set,” he revealed.

The impact was so significant that many weddings were postponed. “It was such a big area that we had to use so many generators. They used to say Binod ji caused so many weddings to be cancelled because there were no generators to be used in the weddings,” Pradhan added.

Made on a budget of ₹50 crore, Devdas was the most expensive Indian film at the time. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002 before its global release in July, ultimately earning ₹168 crore worldwide and cementing its place as a cinematic spectacle.

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Nora Fatehi playfully roasts Kartik Aaryan over his relationships at IIFA 2024

Kartik Aaryan
  • The 25th edition of IIFA was a star-studded affair.
  • Karan Johar and actor Kartik Aaryan hosted the prestigious event.
  • An exchange between Nora and Kartik caught the internet’s attention.

The 25th edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA), held on March 8-9, was a star-studded affair with Bollywood’s biggest names in attendance. The prestigious event was hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Kartik Aaryan. However, a lighthearted exchange between Nora Fatehi and Kartik has now caught the internet’s attention.

During a fun on-stage conversation, Karan offered Nora a first-class ticket to London, to which she cheekily asked, “Am I going with you?” Karan clarified that he was actually referring to Kartik. Before Karan could say more, Kartik jumped in and added, “You don’t have to go with either of us. We’ll give you a ticket, and you can go with anyone you want.”

Taking the banter further, Karan proposed a deal, saying, “You can go with EaseMyTrip if you tell us who you think is the perfect match for Kartik. It could be you as well.” Nora, known for her wit, then delivered a hilarious response that left the audience in splits: “Koi hai iss industry mein jisko aapne abhi tak date nahi kiya? (Is there anyone in the industry you haven’t dated yet?)” Kartik, visibly blushing, quickly reassured the audience that it was just a joke, while the crowd erupted in cheers.

Nora roasted Kartik 😂
byu/ikeverything2 inBollyBlindsNGossip

The viral moment sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans praised Nora’s humor, with one user commenting, “She ate and left no crumbs.” Others, however, felt it was more of a compliment to Kartik, with a fan noting, “Not a roast. It’s the biggest compliment to him.”

On the work front, Kartik is set to star in Anurag Basu’s upcoming musical alongside Sreeleela, while Nora will be seen opposite Abhishek Bachchan in Remo D’Souza’s Be Happy, premiering on Amazon Prime Video on March 14.

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Scarlett Johansson shares major update on Black Widow return in MCU

Scarlett Johansson
  • Scarlett Johansson put an end to any speculation about Black Widow’s return.
  • She made it clear that her character’s journey has reached its conclusion.
  • She reaffirmed that Natasha is gone for good.

Scarlett Johansson has officially put an end to any speculation about the return of her iconic Marvel character, Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow. Despite fan theories and hopes for a revival, the actress made it clear that her character’s journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has reached its conclusion.

In a recent interview with InStyle magazine, Johansson, who portrayed the beloved assassin-turned-Avenger, reaffirmed that Natasha is gone for good. “Natasha is dead,” she stated, referencing the character’s heroic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame (2019). Even though she reprised the role in the prequel film Black Widow (2021), she emphasized that there would be no future appearances. “She is dead. She’s dead. Okay?” she reiterated.

However, the Lucy star acknowledged that many fans refuse to accept this finality. “They’re like, ‘But she could come back!’” she shared, amused by the persistent speculation. She then urged audiences to embrace Natasha’s legacy, saying, “Look, I think the balance of the entire universe is held in her hand. We’re going to have to let it go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment.”

Meanwhile, the MCU continues with new projects, including Captain America: Brave New World, which debuted in February, and upcoming releases like Thunderbolts (May 2) and The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25).

Johansson herself has a busy schedule ahead, with The Phoenician Scheme set to hit theaters on June 6, followed by Jurassic World: Rebirth on July 2.

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Why Millie Bobby Brown hasn’t watched any MCU movies? Actress reveals

Millie Bobby Brown
  • Millie Bobby Brown is currently busy promoting her upcoming Netflix film.
  • One unexpected confession of Brown has sparked plenty of reactions.
  • During a recent interview, Millie hesitated when the topic came up.

Millie Bobby Brown is currently busy promoting her upcoming Netflix film, The Electric State, set to premiere this week. Starring alongside Chris Pratt, the duo’s lighthearted press interactions have led to several interesting revelations from the young actress.

From sharing that “Bobby” is a made-up middle name to opening up about her emotional farewell to Stranger Things and her first year of marriage with Jake Bongiovi, Millie has been candid. However, one unexpected confession has sparked plenty of reactions—she has never watched a Marvel movie.

During a recent interview, Millie hesitated when the topic came up, saying, “I—It’s not that I haven’t seen,” as Chris Pratt, a major star in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, leaned in with mock suspicion. As laughter filled the room, she quickly clarified her stance.

“No, you know what, I am really, really bad just in general with watching movies. I am just somebody who lives in nature, and I love to be outside with, you know, my dogs and my animals, and so I spend a lot of time outside,” she explained.

“Although my husband, on the other hand, is a total movie buff. And it’s not that I don’t love movies—I do love movies, I’m an actor. But I just, I find myself 9, 10 hours of the day, I am outside, I don’t step foot inside my house.”

Fans had hilarious reactions, with comments like, “Girl really said ‘no reason, I touch grass’” and “I love how she’s just a farm girl now.”

The Electric State premieres on Netflix this Friday.

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Court hands over Usman Jajja to FIA on physical remand

Court

Gujranwala: The local court on Wednesday handed over human trafficker, Usman Jajja, to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on six-day physical remand. The accused Usman Jajja was presented to the Judicial Magistrate’s Court during which the FIA ​​requested the physical remand of the accused. Usman Jajja, arrested in 19 cases involved in human trafficking. The … Read more

Robert Pattinson reveals how Zendaya helped him in a difficult scene in upcoming movie

Robert Pattinson
  • Robert Pattinson shared an interesting BTS moment from The Drama.
  • While filming, Pattinson struggled with one specific scene.
  • Frustrated, the Batman star decided to turn to Zendaya for clarity.

Robert Pattinson recently shared an interesting behind-the-scenes moment from The Drama, where he sought Zendaya’s help to tackle a particularly challenging scene. The upcoming film follows a couple whose relationship takes a drastic turn just before their wedding, presenting emotionally complex moments for both actors.

While filming, Pattinson struggled with one specific scene, which, according to him, was driving him “crazy.” Speaking to Premiere, he revealed, “We had a scene together that was driving me crazy. I was desperately looking for its meaning, writing pages and pages of textual analysis.” Frustrated, the Batman star decided to turn to Zendaya for clarity.

“I ended up calling Zendaya the night before shooting the scene. I shared my doubts with her, I spoke for two hours, and after a while, very calmly, she made me understand that the line just said what it meant to say, that there was no hidden meaning,” Pattinson explained, as reported by The Independent.

The actor is known for his deep immersion in roles, a tendency he admitted became overwhelming during the filming of Die, My Love, directed by Lynne Ramsay. Reflecting on the experience, he shared, “I did this movie with Lynne Ramsay, and she’s a really good dancer. And Jennifer Lawrence is a really good dancer. They just find it so easy.”

Recalling a particularly stressful moment, he added, “I was like, ‘I’m going to have a mental breakdown when this happens. We need to either choreograph it or cut it.’”

Both The Drama and Die, My Love are set for release this year, though official dates have yet to be confirmed.

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UN condemns terrorist attack on train in Balochistan

UN

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations condemned the terrorist attack in Balochistan against a Quetta-Peshawar passenger train in which armed militants took a number of hostages, including women and children, and called for their immediate release. “We’ve just seen the reports; we, of course, condemn any hostage taking, and we call on those who’ve taken people … Read more

Dia Mirza recalls sharing noodles with Lara Dutta during pageant days as they had no money

Dia Mirza
  • Dia Mirza addressed comparisons between her, Lara, and Priyanka.
  • She recalled how their journeys differed in terms of financial independence.
  • She revealed that she and Lara shared noodles because they had no money.

The year 2000 was a landmark for Indian beauty pageants, with all three Miss India winners securing international crowns—Lara Dutta as Miss Universe, Priyanka Chopra as Miss World, and Dia Mirza as Miss Asia Pacific. Naturally, comparisons arose between them. In a recent interview, Dia spoke about their early days, highlighting how their journeys differed, especially in terms of financial independence.

“Priyanka still had some support from her parents, but Lara and I didn’t. Lara was already living here because she was modelling, and she had opened her heart to me and shared her apartment, which was the size of a matchbox. I remember helping her pack for her Miss Universe and going away,” she revealed.

Recalling their financial struggles in Mumbai, Dia shared, “We (Lara and I) shared Wai Wai noodles because paise nahi the (we had no money). Lara and I modelled and saved that money. Neither of us used any money from our parents. Even in Priyanka’s situation, she had solid support, and her parents were very involved, but with us, we just had what we had earned and saved.”

Dia acknowledged Priyanka’s early success, saying, “She was doing really well. I remember thinking to myself, ‘My God, if I was half the actress she is, how much further I would be able to go.’”

While Lara and Priyanka found success with Andaaz, Dia initially struggled but later found her space in the industry. She was most recently seen in Nadaaniyan, which released on Netflix on March 7.

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President, PM strongly condemn terrorist attack on Jaffar Express

President

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister  Shehbaz Sharif have strongly condemned the cowardly terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express in Dhadar area of Bolan. In their separate statements, they lauded the security forces for their bravery and professionalism demonstrated in the operation. The President said attacks on unarmed civilians and passengers are inhumane … Read more

Aamir Khan recalls going home and breaking out in tears for this reason

Aamir Khan
  • Aamir Khan opened up about the challenges he faced early in his career.
  • He recalled the missteps he made during that period.
  • He got about 300-400 film offers after the success of his debut film.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan recently opened up about the challenges he faced early in his career after his blockbuster debut in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), eventually making him go home and cry.

Speaking with writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar at the launch of Aamir Khan: Cinema Ka Jadugar, a special film festival by PVR INOX, the actor recalled the missteps he made during that period.

Following the overnight success of his debut film, Aamir was flooded with offers. “I got about 300-400 film offers,” he revealed. Without realizing the weight of his decisions, he signed multiple projects at once. “Back then, actors worked on 30 to 50 films simultaneously. Interestingly, Anil Kapoor did the fewest, with 33 films. Seeing that, I ended up signing 9-10 films at once. However, none of the directors I had dreamed of working with offered me any roles,” he admitted.

As production for these films began, Aamir quickly realized his mistake. “I was working three shifts a day. I was not happy. I would go home and cry,” he shared. Many of these projects, including Love Love Love, Awwal Number, and Tum Mere Ho, flopped. Reflecting on that difficult phase, he added, “The media dubbed me a ‘one-film wonder.’ Rightly so; I blame no one for that label.”

Despite setbacks, Aamir’s fortunes changed with Dil (1990), marking the beginning of his rise to superstardom. The Cinema Ka Jadugar festival celebrates his illustrious career as he turns 60 this week.

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Security forces rescued 190 passengers from hijakced train

Security forces

BOLAN: Security forces successfully rescued 190 hostage passengers and killed 30 terrorists who hijacked Jaffar Express in Bolan District of Balochistan. The terrorists are using suicide bombers innocent people while security forces are taking careful caution because of the hostages. Earlier, 58 men, 31 women and 15 children were reported among the 107 passengers recovered … Read more

Pakistan’s remittances surge to $3.1 billion in Feb, marking 55% YoY growth

Pakistan’s remittances surge to $3.1 billion in Feb, marking 55% YoY growth

Pakistan’s remittance inflows reached an all-time high of $3.1 billion in February 2025, marking an impressive 55% year-on-year growth compared to $2.3 billion in February 2024. This significant increase highlights the growing trust of overseas Pakistanis in the country’s financial system and their critical role in supporting economic stability. The cumulative remittances for July to … Read more

Eid ul Fitr 2025: Good News for Government Employees

Eid ul Fitr 2025: Good News for Government Employees

The Sindh government has announced that salaries and pensions for its employees will be paid early, with disbursements set for March 21. A notification from the Sindh Finance Department confirmed that all government employees will receive their payments in advance to help them prepare for Eid-ul-Fitr. According to SUPARCO, Eid is expected on March 31, … Read more