Saira Peter selected for Sitara-e-Imtiaz for services to music

Prices of several essential commodities have increased significantly across Pakistan over the past year, putting additional pressure on household budgets. According to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), major increases were recorded in the prices of several food items and fuel products. Onion prices recorded the highest increase among the commodities listed by the statistics agency. The price of onions rose by 132.52% in one year. Tomato prices also increased sharply by 93.21%, while flour became 62.25% more expensive during the same period. Fuel prices also witnessed substantial increases. According to the PBS, LPG became 51.69% more expensive over the year. Diesel prices increased by 33.08%, while petrol became 27.65% more expensive. The rise in fuel prices can also affect transportation and the cost of goods and services. Several meat and fruit prices also increased during the year. The price of bananas rose by 17.66%, while mutton became 15.98% more expensive. Beef prices increased by 13.54%, adding to the cost of commonly consumed food items. However, some essential commodities became cheaper during the same period. Potato prices declined by 30%, while sugar became 19.10% cheaper. Chicken prices also decreased by 17.68%, providing some relief to consumers. The statistics also showed a decline in the prices of eggs and pulses. Egg prices fell by 17.41% over the year, while chana dal became more than 13% cheaper. Masoor dal prices declined by 12.29%, while jaggery became 6% cheaper. The latest figures show mixed price trends in the country. While consumers received some relief from lower prices of potatoes, sugar, chicken, eggs and pulses, sharp increases in onions, tomatoes, flour and fuel continued to add pressure to household expenses. The data highlights the significant changes in the prices of everyday necessities over the past year.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to Jordan to participate in a ministerial meeting focused on the worsening situation in occupied Jerusalem, reaffirming Pakistan’s diplomatic support for the Palestinian cause. According to the Foreign Office, the meeting, scheduled for August 5, will bring together foreign ministers from Arab League member states and several Islamic countries to discuss recent developments in Jerusalem and coordinate a unified response to the evolving situation. The Foreign Office said Dar is attending the meeting at the invitation of Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. During the visit, participating foreign ministers are also expected to meet Abdullah II to discuss regional developments and ongoing efforts aimed at addressing the challenges facing the Palestinian people. On the sidelines of the conference, Ishaq Dar is expected to hold bilateral meetings with several foreign ministers to exchange views on regional issues, including the humanitarian situation in Palestine and broader Middle East developments. The Foreign Office described Pakistan’s participation as a reflection of its longstanding and principled support for the Palestinian people. It reiterated Pakistan’s position in favor of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al-Sharif) as its capital. Pakistan has consistently condemned actions that it says threaten the historical and legal status of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, including repeated incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.