What is often referred to as the biggest night in fashion took place on Monday in New York City. The Met Gala, always scheduled for the first Monday of May, allows A-list celebrities to walk the carpet in a display of avant-garde fashion as they raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. “The Met Gala is really giving the Capitol vibes while a genocide is happening in Gaza,” an X user wrote. “Nine men tenderly placed Cardi B’s dress on the Met Gala floor. There was also mass outrage when the prices of the Met Gala tickets were made public.

The atmosphere turned tense outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday as associates of firebrand PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat reacted aggressively to a journalist's probing question during Marwat's media address. Marwat, visibly agitated, interrupted the journalist, demanding proper language usage and ultimately prohibited further questioning. "You are a beggar… I curse a journalist who uses foul language, you will not be allowed to question me in the future," Marwat retorted. "I don't want anything to do with this committee," Marwat declared, distancing himself from the PAC amidst the internal discord within the PTI. This latest episode adds to a string of controversies surrounding Marwat, underscoring the ongoing factional tensions within the party.

I am writing to express my deep concern about the alarming levels of unemployment in Pakistan. Despite the nation’s potential for economic growth and development, a significant portion of the population remains jobless, leading to widespread socio-economic challenges. The current unemployment rate in Pakistan is staggering, and it disproportionately affects young people, with youth unemployment reaching critical levels. One of the main contributors to this crisis is the lack of opportunities in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and services. Moreover, the informal sector, which employs a significant proportion of the population, often lacks job security, fair wages, and basic labour rights, further exacerbating the issue of unemployment and perpetuating poverty.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to visit Pakistan this month, potentially opening doors for vital investments from the “brotherly country.”His impending visit comes after a prolonged delay; his last trip to Pakistan was in February 2019. However, sources reveal that the prince has now accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has made two recent visits to Riyadh. Preceding the crown prince's visit, a high-powered Saudi delegation, including prominent businessmen, is currently in Islamabad, engaging in discussions with Pakistani counterparts to explore investment opportunities. Read KSA eyes Pakistan as high-priority economic, investment opportunity: Saudi ministerFollowing the prime minister’s visit, the crown prince dispatched a high-powered delegation headed by the Saudi foreign minister to Islamabad. The delegation comprised key members of the Saudi cabinet and some of the close aides of the crown prince working on his “Vision-2030”.

Federal Minister for Finance Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb addressing a press conference in Islamabad on May 7, 2024. PHOTO: PIDFinance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb proposed on Tuesday raising the retirement age and restructuring pension payments to alleviate the financial strain on the economy. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar following a cabinet meeting, the minister stated that the country's economy was gradually stabilizing. Among the positive economic indicators outlined by the finance minister were foreign exchange reserves surpassing $9 billion, currency stabilizing, and inflation decreasing to 17% from 38%. Law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also underscored the importance of economic stability for the country to progress and emphasized the correlation between political and economic stability.

RAWALPINDI, May 07 (APP):A one-day seminar titled “Role of Youth in Nation Building: In the Light of Iqbal’s Thought” was held in collaboration with the National Language Promotion Institute, National Heritage and Culture Division and Message of Pakistan here on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of PMYP Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said that nations who forget their culture, civilization, traditions and language could not progress. The Director General of the National Language Promotion Institute Prof Dr Muhammad Salim Mazhar delivered the welcome speech. The seminar was attended by teachers, research scholars and students of Islamabad’s NUML University, Fatima Jinnah University Rawalpindi, Hamdard Islamic University and writers, poets and media personalities of the twin cities. Dr Humira Shehbaz, of the NUML Persian department, Mehboob Zafar of the literary organization “Zawiya” and former Dean of Islamia University Bahawalpur Dr Shafiq Ahmed also discussed the role of youth in the light of Iqbal’s ideology.

For years, the dilapidated condition of the Karakoram Highway and Baltistan Road has led to frequent blockades or fatal accidents. Once the infrastructure is enhanced, we can reasonably expect the annual tourist count to be in the millions. Frequent travellers also cite the use of Babusar Road as an alternative route to the highway. At some point, primary routes will become impassable due to weather conditions, and tourists will need such routes in the case of emergencies. Collaboration will be imperative as we go about this process, but if all goes well, we may be able to harness the full potential of our pristine northern areas as a viable and sustainable tourism destination.

Sindh Minister for Energy and Planning & Development Syed Nasir Hussain Shah gestures during a meeting. — APP/FileSindh Minister for Energy and Planning & Development Syed Nasir Hussain Shah on Monday inaugurated Pakistan’s first private charging station for electric vehicles in Karachi. He said the provincial government is promoting public-private partnerships, and providing all possible support and cooperation to investors in various sectors in the province. In view of the increasing rise in atmospheric temperature, he pointed out that the nation would have to move to green energy and solarisation. Shah said that labour-intensive miners are the backbone of the energy sector.

He urged for legislative action on this matter, emphasising that failure to act would destabilise the very fabric of society. During the press conference, the DG ISPR was asked by a journalist that the alleged masterminds of May 9 had not been punished despite the passage of a year. “The army is apolitical and its relationship with every government is in accordance with the Constitution and law,” he added. Regarding the allegations made by six Islamabad High Court judges against the intelligence agencies, the DG ISPR stated that the issue was currently under judicial review. He remarked that individuals who criticise the subsidiaries of the Pakistan Army would like to live in DHA, get treatment in CMH, and send their children to these universities and colleges.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif is addressing a press conference. Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry Tuesday shared that Pakistan "irrefutable evidence" of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) using Afghanistan against the country. The DG ISPR said the law and order situation was deteriorating because of the Afghan citizens. Responding to a question regarding the judicial commission, the DG ISPR said the commission is formed to probe a matter when there is doubt. “Talks are for political parties, not institutions,” the army’s spokespersonResponding to another question, DG ISPR said the party only gained 31 per cent of votes in the February 8 elections.

The arrival of a high-level Saudi trade delegation led by Deputy Investment Minister Ibrahim Almubarak marks a significant stride towards strengthening trade and investment ties with foreign partners. Saudi Arabia’s ties with Pakistan are long-standing, and this visit should be the first of many regional relationship revivals. Despite a mixed history of bilateral investment, this collaboration provides a sense of renewed hope for the economic revival of Pakistan. Both countries plan on exploring trade and investment opportunities in various sectors of society which would bolster economic growth. While both countries can potentially benefit from enhanced cooperation, it is important to ensure that all investment opportunities are properly managed to prioritize sustainable development and inclusive growth.

The book titled “Europe Ki Diary” (Diary of Europe) is the work of renowned columnist and lawyer, Barrister Naseem Bajwa. It is based on his columns published in various newspapers and his life experiences in law and journalism. The book discussion was hosted by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). He also highlighted the inclusion of tributes paid to Parveen Rehman and Asma Jehangir in the book. He termed the book as a guiding document for generation building and recommended the youth to read it.

Monday Mailbag – Who was the best Oiler in Round 1, and who needs to improve in Round 2? Photo credit: Tom KostiukBy baggedmilk 1 hour ago

The ongoing hot weather will continue in Karachi for the next three days with entry of a westerly weather system in the country, a weather official said on Monday. Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz has predicted that the present hot weather spell is likely to continue for the next three days in Sindh’s capital of Karachi. Sardar Sarfaraz ruled out chances of a heatwave in Karachi during the next 10 days. Mainly hot and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country during the next twelve hours. However, partly cloudy weather conditions with rain-thunderstorms may occur at isolated places in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Lahore: The captain of the national cricket team, Babar Azam, has said that he will go with the best combination in all matches, not only against India. While giving a press conference in Lahore, Babar Azam said that what is best for the team will be the decision. Babar Azam said that there will be an effort to field the World Cup squad in Ireland and England, there is less time for rotation, now they will play what we are planning for the World Cup. Hey, they need some time now, didn’t expect Haris Rauf to be fit so soon, his fitness is good, Aamir Jamal is a fine all-rounder, he selected what was best for the team, Mohammad Haris is top order. He said that the goal in the past was to bring the trophy, unfortunately, we could not, our focus is on the World Cup and all the players are focused on winning.