Latest news with #Rs38
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gold prices plunge
KARACHI: Gold prices on Thursday took a big plunge, reflecting the global bullion market's bearish trend, sinking under $3,300 per ounce, traders said. World's fluctuating bullion market lost $19 to rest at $3,291 per ounce, scaling down the local gold prices by Rs1,900 per tola and Rs1,629 per 10 grams. The sizeable drop pushed back the gold prices to Rs347,500 per tola and Rs297,925 per 10 grams, according to All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association. Domestic silver prices fell by Rs38 and Rs33, dropping to Rs3,428 per tola and Rs2,938 per 10 grams, respectively. The global silver prices stood at $33 per ounce, the association added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Bhatta Chowk cattle market opens today
The main cattle market for sacrificial animals at Bhatta Chowk, serving the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, officially opens Friday (today). Situated at the confluence of the two cities, the market has already received two trailers filled with sacrificial animals. Entry fees have been set at Rs3,000 for large animals and Rs2,000 for smaller ones. From Sunday, May 18 onwards, more trailers and trucks carrying livestock are expected to arrive, marking the beginning of the market's peak activity and the formal start of buying and selling. Space allotments for livestock traders have begun, and preparations are underway for fodder stalls, animal grooming services, temporary eateries, tea stalls, and beverage vendors. A sizable area next to the market has been designated for parking vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers. Temporary electricity and water connections for stalls and animal enclosures have also been made available. Water for drinking and bathing the animals will be sold at Rs3,000 per tanker. Tents and shades have started arriving in large numbers to provide shelter, and installation will begin today. Though the number of animals is still limited, the market is now officially open to the public. Weighing stations are being set up where animals will be sold based on weight, with prices aligned with the local meat market rates. In addition, various organisations, NGOs, and religious groups have launched online Qurbani services. Customers can now book their share of a sacrificial animal online. A share in a large animal such as a cow or bull is priced at Rs40,000 for approximately 1516 kg of meat, and Rs38,000 for 14 kg. A small animal costing Rs70,000 yields around 15-16 kg of meat. While Bhata Cattle Market begins operations today, it is expected to see a major influx of buyers closer to payday. To mark the opening, traditional drum performances have been arranged, and the event is open to all, including citizens and butchers. Following today's inauguration, additional livestock markets in Chungi No 22, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, Dhok Syedan, High Court back area, and Rawat will also become operational by Sunday. Traders from all over the country will bring sacrificial animals for sale in these markets. The business activities at these markets will also benefit various stakeholders, including government departments, transporters, service stations, hotels, and fodder sellers. The animals brought for sale in these markets will be examined by a team of doctors and support staff from the Livestock Department to ensure they are healthy and fit for sale. Sick animals will not be allowed to be sold in the markets.
Express Tribune
11-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Online platforms offer Qurbani services
As Eidul Azha approaches, online Qurbani services have begun in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, offering both small and large animals for sacrifice. Bookings are now open, and under the new system, citizens can receive sacrificial meat at home without visiting animal markets. Instead of receiving a physical share in the animal (such as a cow, bull, goat, or sheep), participants will receive packaged meat. For collective sacrifices, shares are being offered and booked online. It has been announced that all animals for Qurbani will be healthy and the meat provided will be of high quality. A share of a cow, bull, or calf sacrificed on the first day of Eid is priced at Rs40,000, entitling the participant to 16 kilograms of meat delivered to their home. On the second day, the share will cost Rs38,000, with the same quantity of meat delivered. The price for a goat or sheep is set at Rs70,000, with 14 kilograms of meat delivered. Private sector groups and religious organisations have become active in managing collective sacrifices. Payments can be made online, with teams available to collect the money in person too. Delivery of meat to each participant is promised between 1pm and 5pm on Eid days. Organisations such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Alkhidmat Foundation, Akhuwat, and others have also started selling sacrificial animals online. Photos and videos of the animals, along with their prices, are being uploaded for selection and purchase. A weight-based pricing system is being introduced, with animals sold per kilogram based on current market rates.
Arab News
16-04-2025
- Climate
- Arab News
Intense hailstorm smashes windows, damages vehicles in Pakistan's capital
ISLAMABAD: An intense hailstorm and heavy rainfall battered Pakistan's capital Islamabad and its surrounding areas on Wednesday evening, leaving several vehicles damaged and house windows smashed. Footage on social media showed hailstones raining from the sky in Islamabad during Wednesday evening. Several Islamabad residents posted videos of their car windscreens smashed while others shared images of the windows of their houses damaged by hails. Islamabad district administration said in a statement that its emergency teams were deployed to manage traffic and drain rainwater accumulated on the streets. 'The extent of the damage caused by the hailstorm is still being assessed,' Islamabad administration spokesperson said in a statement. 'There are reports of broken windows of vehicles and houses in various areas.' He added that rescue teams were immediately dispatched to key highways, while drainage work was already underway in several parts of the city to prevent water from accumulating on the roads. An Islamabad resident told Arab News his car had been significantly damaged by the hailstorm. 'It would cost me around $178 (Rs50,000) to repair the windscreen, windows and side mirrors,' Ahmed Qureshi, a resident of the city's Diplomatic Enclave, told Arab News. 'My vehicle will also need to be repainted to fix the dents caused by the hailstorm.' Several mechanic shops in Islamabad's G-6 Markaz area were swamped with concerned citizens inquiring about the cost of new windshields. Muhammad Ali, a mechanic, told Arab News three types of windshields were available for Toyota and Honda cars. These cost from $57-$135 (Rs16,000 to Rs38,000), adding that it takes about 20 minutes to install one. 'The windshield supplier isn't answering his phone due to the overwhelming number of calls he has received,' he said. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain with thunderstorm in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock and other parts of the parts of Punjab on Wednesday evening.
Khaleej Times
24-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Forests are not just resources but lifelines, says Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has long been at the forefront of Pakistan's environmental conservation efforts, recognising that forests are not just resources but lifelines for our people, biodiversity, and the planet, its top official says. Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said KP stands as Pakistan's Carbon Sink, with 37 per cent of its land is reserved for forests and national parks, removing 50 per cent of the nation's carbon emissions. 'With 40 per cent to 45 per cent of Pakistan's total forest cover, KP plays a crucial role in climate mitigation. However, conservation comes at a cost, with Rs3 billion spent annually on deforestation control and equivalent of Rs319 billion required for protection efforts — directly or indirectly into protecting and maintaining the forest of the size of the one that KP has,' Gandapur told Khaleej Times during an exclusive interview. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the third-largest province of Pakistan by population and the smallest province by area, has a varied geography of rugged mountain ranges, valleys, rolling foothills, and dense agricultural farms. It is bordered by Balochistan to the south; Punjab, Islamabad Capital Territory, and Azad Kashmir to the east; and Gilgit-Baltistan to the north and northeast. It shares an international border with Afghanistan to the west. Investing in Green Energy Since 2017, the Chief Minister said KP has allocated Rs675 billion for development projects that support forestation and afforestation efforts — directly or indirectly, yet sustainable funding remains essential. To maintain this momentum, the Chief Minister of KP advocates for a 10 per cent share of the National Finance Commission (NFC) award for forest conservation, following the successful model of India, where allocations increased from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent. 'Our forests hold the potential to generate approximately Rs38 billion in voluntary carbon credits and approximately Rs115 billion in compliance markets, reinforcing the need for national and international support. By rewarding provinces for conservation efforts, we can ensure long-term ecological and economic benefits,' Gandapur said. 'In our first year in government, we have launched another ambitious project, Billion Trees Plus at an estimated cost of Rs7.5 billion to enhance KP's forest cover beyond 26 per cent. At the same time, we are investing in green energy through investments in hydropower and shifting our government institutes on solar power, including schools, colleges, universities, hospitals as well as other facilities,' the Chief Minister said. Billion Trees Tsunami project was originally launched by former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2015 to turn the tide on land degradation and loss in the mountainous, formerly forested KP province in the Hindu Kush Mountain range. The then provincial government of PTI had claimed that one billion trees were planted. The 'Billion Trees Plus' campaign is in full swing with senior officials of the district administration distributing saplings among departments in the district. According to the district administration, the drive has been launched in line with provincial government directives to increase forest cover and ensure a clean and healthy environment for citizens. 'This ambitious project aims to not only plant trees but also protect and restore entire ecosystems, while creating green jobs and improving livelihoods in the region,' according to an official. Gandapur said KP's vision for a greener future includes incentivising forest budgets, promoting reforestation, compensating conservation trade-offs, and supporting local communities with healthcare, education, and employment. 'With collaborative efforts, we can protect our forests, strengthen Pakistan's resilience to climate change, and build a more sustainable future for generations to come,' the Chief Minister said. The Billion Trees Plus project is an important programme of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's vision for a greener future and it strengthen Pakistan's resilience to climate change and generates thousands of jobs in the province, says a government official. Muzammil Aslam, Advisor Finance, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), said the ambitious Billion Trees Plus project will also promote green tourism in the province as the KP Government has also introduced home stay project to encourage locals to build their home suitable for tourist stay. 'With Billion Trees Plus and forest management, the provincial government has created more than 175,000 jobs. All the forests under Billion Trees project are not developed on state land as majority of the area is private where forests have planted. It will give them ideal opportunity in revenue sharing in forest related output and carbon credits. With the scientific management of forest, it is estimated that Pakistan can generate up to $7 billion dollar worth of timber,' Aslam told Khaleej Times. In reply to a question, he said this environment-friendly project is also helpful in promoting sustainable tourism in the province. 'Obviously, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is tourism hub of Pakistan. It attracted over 20 million tourists in 2024-25 from across Pakistan. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is currently working on four new tourism sites in the province. 'Already, the Billion Trees Plus project is underway and the KP govt has also introduced a home stay project to encourage locals to build their home suitable for tourist stay,' Aslam said.
