Vicky Kaushal’s upcoming film Chhaava, which was originally set to clash with Allu Arjun’s much-anticipated Pushpa 2: The Rule at the box office, has now been postponed. The film, initially slated for release on December 6, 2024, will now be hitting theatres on February 14, 2025. The decision to delay Chhaava has cleared the way for Pushpa 2 to have a solo release across India. With the new release date, Pushpa 2 will dominate the theatres, ensuring maximum screen presence and a wider audience reach, making it a potential box-office giant. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh confirmed the news of the delay through an Instagram post, stating, “#Chhaava is now…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
Director Madhur Bhandarkar recently spoke about his film Heroine, highlighting it as one of Kareena Kapoor’s finest performances. The film, which explored the challenging life of a Bollywood actress, starred Kareena in the lead role, earning praise for her portrayal of a troubled star navigating the complexities of fame and personal struggles. Bhandarkar, renowned for creating cinematic portrayals of the harsh realities of life with his unique blend of fiction and imagination, is known for hits like Fashion, which featured Priyanka Chopra. After the success of Fashion, Bhandarkar ventured into creating Heroine, a film that garnered massive anticipation when it was first announced. Initially,…
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume its European flights soon, following the lifting of a ban by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The airline is also eyeing several destinations in the United Kingdom after the ban was lifted. In June 2020, EASA suspended PIA’s authorization to operate within the EU over concerns regarding the ability of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to ensure compliance with international aviation standards. This suspension followed an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses after a tragic plane crash in Pakistan that claimed 97 lives. PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan…
In an effort to comply with the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) regulatory requirements, banks have injected a record amount of over Rs1 trillion into non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs). This move is aimed at avoiding the incremental tax that would apply if they fail to meet the advance-to-deposit ratio (ADR) target of 50% by the end of 2024. According to the latest report from the SBP, the massive liquidity influx into NBFIs exceeded the total credit stock to these institutions by 130%. NBFIs are financial entities that offer a range of financial services but do not hold a banking license.…
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) reached an all-time high above 100,000 points last week, as dominant bulls navigated through a volatile market amid ongoing political instability, economic concerns, and security issues. Despite rising costs and a deteriorating law-and-order situation causing alarm among businesses and multinational companies—some of which are considering relocating abroad—the PSX demonstrated resilience. According to AKD Securities Ltd, the market remained volatile throughout the week, as political instability increased with opposition protests in the capital. This uncertainty led to a significant one-day decline in the KSE-100 index, which fell by 3,506 points on Tuesday. However, the market regained…
Regal Automobiles Industries Ltd (RAIL) introduced Pakistan’s first locally assembled electric SUV, the Seres 3, at its Lahore plant on Saturday. This launch marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s journey toward adopting cleaner energy solutions and reducing its carbon footprint. Adeel Usman, the Managing Director of RAIL, highlighted that this achievement demonstrates the potential of Pakistan’s automotive industry to lead in the global shift toward electric mobility. He emphasized that the Seres 3 has the ability to reshape the automotive sector in Pakistan and position the country as a key player in electric mobility innovation.
The 500kV Lahore (North) grid station is expected to be partially operational by next month, facilitating the evacuation of power from the Matiari-Lahore High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line. This will allow electricity to be distributed to various cities in the Gujranwala division through the 500kV Nokhar grid station and nearby transmission lines in Gakhar, Gujranwala. The project, initially slated for completion last summer, faced delays due to land acquisition challenges and administrative hurdles. However, sources from the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) reported that the newly formed board of directors (BoD) addressed these issues, resolving most of…
Internet users across Pakistan, including in major cities like Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, are facing significant disruptions as internet speeds plummet, leading to widespread frustration and hindering daily activities. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp have been particularly affected, with users struggling to upload or download photos and videos. Reports indicate that many users are turning to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass the issues and access social media. However, VPN services themselves have also been down in several areas, adding to the challenges faced by freelancers, business owners, and students. Citizens have voiced concerns, with…
Shaza Fatima, the Minister of State for Interior, defended the government’s decision to block X (formerly Twitter), stating that the move was taken based on directives from the Ministry of Interior in the interest of national security. Fatima clarified that the decision to block X should not be seen as a restriction on freedom of expression, highlighting that fewer than 2 percent of Pakistan’s population uses the platform. In addressing the wider issue of cybersecurity, Fatima emphasized the rise in cyber-attacks within the country and underscored the need for stronger cybersecurity measures. “Cybersecurity is crucial at this time,” she stated,…
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Sunday that it would delay the ban on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) following a legal review that found no legal grounds to block the service. This decision means VPNs will continue to operate, even after the previously set deadline of November 30. Earlier, the PTA had established November 30 as the deadline for VPN registration, warning that unregistered VPNs would be blocked after that date. However, despite the deadline passing, no action has been taken, and VPNs remain operational. PTA sources have confirmed that VPN registration is still ongoing, with decisions about the…
