Pakistani healthcare startup wins award in US

Azaad Health, a Pakistan based healthcare startup, founded by Syed Abrar has won award for “Outstanding Entrepreneur from an Emerging Economy” at U.S. Department of State’s GIST Catalyst Competition 2019. Abrar was one of the 30 finalists at the competition from 18 different countries, and represented AzaadHealth, a global patient-owned health data exchange network, which aims to empower patients by democratizing health records.

Owner of tanker attacked in Gulf of Oman blames ‘flying objects’

One of the owners of the attacked oil tanker in Gulf of Oman have suggested that the crew might have seen bullets as they saw some objects flying over water before they were hit. This contradicts US government’s narrative suggesting an unexploded mine might have done the damage. Earlier, US has blamed Iran for the attacks on the ships.

Federal minister Fawad Chaudhry slapped journalist Sami Ibrahim in Faisalabad

In a wedding event at Faisalabad, Federal Minister for Science and Technology slapped and cursed BOL TV anchor Sami Ibrahim after a heated argument. Already the two were involved in battle of words on twitter. Apparently, Chaudhary was being blackmailed after he refused to give Rs. 200 million worth of adverts to Sami for BOL, when Fawad was information minister.

Faryal Talpur put under house arrest by NAB

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials have declared Faryal Talpur’s F8 residence in Islamabad as a sub-jail and placed her under house arrest hours after her arrest warrants were issued. Asif Ali Zardari, who is already in jail, and his sister are among the main accused in the case of money laundering of billions through fake accounts.

Church of England backs cannabis with a $10.5 billion investment

The Church of England, the mother of the international Anglican Communion, led by Queen Elizabeth II, will be changing its investment fund’s rules to allow for investments in medical cannabis, which is now legal in the U.K. under certain circumstances. The fund, however, will only invest in “properly licensed” companies with products “regulated for medicinal use.”

CDA tenders for parrot cages, pots at Presidency face backlash

Capital Development Authority (CDA) had floated Rs1.94 million tender notice for construction of new cages for parrots and Rs17.83 million and Rs13 million for procurement of Terracotta and Matqa pots for nursery at President House, Islamabad, and “different ornamental plants and Morpankh plants” respectively. The tenders, in stark contrast to PTI government’s austerity drive, raised concern on social media.

PM Imran directs to explore possible increase in retirement age

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Ministry of Finance to increase superannuation age limit of civil servants and early retirement of dead wood within two days. Current superannuation age of civil servants is 60 years, but due to increase in average life expectancy to 69 years, at least three years can be added to retirement age.

All provinces should follow Sindh’s lead in fighting HIV, Bilawal

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has appreciated the PPP-led Sindh government’s decision to set aside a Rs1 billion fund for the welfare of HIV infected patients. He also advised all other provinces to follow Sindh’s example. In a tweet, he lamented the negative role of media to highlight selected stories and overlooking the incidents taking place in other provinces.

Disappointed cricket fan made famous by memes found

Mohammad Akhtar – the cricket fan, who had travelled three hours to enjoy the Pakistan vs Australia match, was captured looking utterly disappointed as Asif Ali dropped a fairly easy catch. Akhtar’s expressions became fodder for a viral meme. People on social media used it to express their disappointment for everything from cricket to politics to every daily life matter.

Rupee loses 4.10 against dollar in one day

Pakistani currency weakened to a record low of Rs156 to the US dollar at the inter-bank market on Friday. The currency freshly lost Rs3.10 from yesterday’s close. A long list of import orders, which were not processed by banks due to Eid holidays, and external debt and interest payment in June end, are the cause of this latest devaluation.