ISLAMABAD: In a recent analysis, JS Global, a leading brokerage firm, has forecasted that Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation in Pakistan is expected to remain substantial at 27.9% on a year-on-year (YoY) basis for January. This prediction shows a slight decrease from the 29.7% recorded in December 2023. JS Global’s preview of the CPI for January 2024 indicates another month of elevated food inflation, along with a quarterly increase in house rent, contributing to consistently high headline numbers. The brokerage house expects a month-on-month (MoM) increase of 1.8% in the food segment, resulting in an overall 1.5% MoM increase in…
Author: Sajjad Ali
Sajjad Ali
Sajjad Ali is ‘Online Web Editor of Khyber News. He is a journalist by profession and working in field for the last ten years. Previously he worked for national media organizations including ‘The Nation’ Daily Pakistan Today, Khyber News. He also worked in media development sector. He can be reached at sajjad.sovereign@gmail.com
In a positive development, visibility in the federal capital of Islamabad improved on Wednesday during the early hours, following three consecutive nights of dense fog. The improved conditions were not only observed in Islamabad but also in major areas of Rawalpindi, leading to a smoother flow of traffic on the major roads connecting the twin cities, with no significant reductions in visibility reported. As of 3:25 AM, the temperature in Islamabad was recorded at approximately 5 degrees Celsius, and the daytime high was expected to reach 18 degrees, as per the AccuWeather weather forecast platform. While there is no forecasted…
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, reserved its verdict in the case of former Islamabad High Court judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who is challenging his dismissal from the post. The five-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and consisting of Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, conducted the proceedings on Siddiqui’s plea. During the hearing, CJP Isa emphasized that the issue lies not in the speech itself but in its content concerning the dismissal of Judge Siddiqui by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). He pointed…
PESHAWAR: Official documents reveal that hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are currently facing a severe shortage of vital medicines, posing significant concerns for patient well-being. The crisis encompasses a lack of essential items such as immunoglobulins, anti-rabies vaccines, and emergency drugs. According to the Directorate General of Health Services in Peshawar, the absence of a snakebite vaccine is a critical threat to lives, exacerbated by financial difficulties hindering the procurement of crucial medicines. Documents indicate an urgent need for Rs 9 billion to address the medicine shortage, with outstanding arrears of Rs 2.67 billion for previous medication purchases. Additionally, Rs…
GAZA: The Israeli military reported the death of 24 soldiers on Tuesday, marking the highest single-day death toll since the conflict began in October. Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that 21 soldiers were killed in an explosion caused by Hamas firing rocket-propelled grenades at a tank. Simultaneously, two buildings, where Israeli forces had planted explosives, collapsed onto the troops. The incident is still under investigation. Additionally, three soldiers were reported killed in a separate attack in southern Gaza earlier. The assault coincided with Israeli forces advancing into western Khan Younis, involving air, sea, and land bombardment, including…
ISLAMABAD: The founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Imran Khan, has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking bail in the Toshakhana and 190 million pound cases. In separate bail applications filed, the former prime minister requests the annulment of the accountability court’s decision and seeks bail until a final verdict is reached in the cases. The petition names the Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Director General (DG) of NAB, and the investigating officer as parties involved. It is worth noting that Imran Khan’s bail was rejected by the Accountability Court in both cases following his arrest.…
Bollywood veteran Saif Ali Khan was hospitalized in Mumbai on Monday after sustaining an injury during the shooting of his upcoming movie. The 53-year-old actor, who recently underwent triceps surgery, now faces a knee fracture. Despite the setback, Khan remains optimistic about a quick recovery to resume filming. Sources report that Kareena Kapoor, his wife, has been by his side at the hospital. Khan acknowledged the injury as part of the occupational hazards in the entertainment industry, expressing gratitude for the support and concern from well-wishers. Amidst his ongoing projects, Khan is geared up for several exciting Bollywood releases. His…
The Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been reopened for trade after a 10-day closure, as announced by authorities on Tuesday. Officials reported that the first truck carrying goods from Afghanistan has already crossed into Pakistan. In Peshawar, Afghanistan’s consular general engaged in discussions with Pakistani authorities, successfully resolving the ongoing issue of unlicensed drivers. As part of the new agreement, Afghan drivers now have until March 1 to ensure their documents are in order. After April 1, drivers without the necessary documentation will be denied entry from Afghanistan into Pakistan. Customs sources revealed that the federal government…
ISLAMABAD: Despite reassurances from Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, assuring that the security situation in the federal capital is under control, a significant number of schools in Islamabad opted to remain closed on Tuesday. In a video message posted on the official handle of the capital police, IGP Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan advised against altering school and college schedules, emphasizing the manageable security situation in the federal capital. However, despite this advice, a majority of schools chose to close and shifted to online classes. Parents, expressing concerns about security threats, hesitated to send their children…
On January 20, Pakistani internet users, already grappling with recent disruptions, faced another grim day. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) provided technical justifications, attributing the blackout to ongoing system upgrades. However, the announced timeline of “2 to 3 months” only intensified public concerns. Director General Ahmed Shamim Pirzada, accompanied by Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi and FIA Cybercrime Director of Operations Waqaruddin Syed, addressed a press conference laden with skepticism. The outage’s timing, aligning with a scheduled online event by a specific political party, fueled suspicions of intentional throttling. Similar disruptions on December 17 and January 7 added weight to…
