Powered by Facebook, Pakistani media group holds South Asia’s first social media awards 

Ayesha Omar and Wajahat Rauf at Pakistan’s first social media awards ceremony that was powered by Facebook on October 2, 2020. (Picture Courtesy: HUM Network Limited)
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Updated 03 October 2020
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Powered by Facebook, Pakistani media group holds South Asia’s first social media awards 

  • HUM Social Media Awards 2020 ceremony was hosted by Yasir Hussain and Mooroo, and livestreamed on HUM’s official Facebook page 
  • Nominations were based on content creation and interaction achievements across social media platforms 

KARACHI: Pakistani media group Hum Network Limited held South Asia’s first social media awards in an online ceremony on Friday to recognize individuals who have marked their digital presence in the fields of music, entertainment, fashion, sports and content creation.
Sponsored by Facebook, HUM Social Media Awards 2020 was live streamed on HUM’s official Facebook page. The show, which featured a special performance by Asim Azhar, was hosted by screenwriter Yasir Hussain and social media star Mooroo.




Asim Azhar performing at Pakistan’s first social media award ceremony that was powered by Facebook on October 2, 2020. (Picture Courtesy: HUM Network Limited) 

Sixteen awards were handed to social media stars in eight categories: entertainment, music, fashion, sports, most popular TV host, most popular web show, most popular content creator, most popular social media portal. Winners attended the ceremony virtually — through audio and video calls.
The complete list of awards with categories is as follow:
ENTERTAINMENT
The award of “Most Popular Actor – Male” was given to Ahad Raza Mir. The actor thanked his fans, saying he considered them as his family since they supported him like close family members.
Sajal Ali got the award of “Most Popular Actor – Female,” who promised to be back on the screen after her wedding with her co-star, Ahad Raza Mir.
Ali and Mir also got two more awards in the categories of “Most Popular On-Screen Couple” and “Most Popular Off-Screen Couple.”
MUSIC
The “Most Popular Music Artist – Male” award went to Atif Aslam while Aima Baig got “Most Popular Music Artist – Female” award.
FASHION
Five awards were given in the Fashion category. Shahzad Noor became the most popular male model and Sadia Khan was declared the most popular female model.
The “Most Popular Designer” award went to Zainub Chotani, the honor of being the “Most Popular Brand” was received by Junaid Jamshed’s J., and Kashif Aslam of Kashees was declared the “Most Popular Makeup Artist.”
SPORTS
The “Most Popular Sports Personality” award was given to cricketer Shahid Afridi.
OTHER CATEGORIES
There were four special awards, three of them for platforms and personalities who got fame and popularity through social media networks.
Fahad Mustafa got the award of the “Most Popular Television Host – Entertainment” while the award of “Most Popular Web Show” went to Voice Over Man.
Zaid Ali T became the “Most Popular Content Creator” and Galaxy Lollywood was declared the “Most Popular Social Media Portal – Entertainment.”
Those who received the awards addressed the audience through prerecorded or live messages. The stage was designed in a retro style of black and yellow, with only a dais and two chairs on it.




Ayesha Omar and Wajahat Rauf at Pakistan’s first social media awards ceremony that was powered by Facebook on October 2, 2020. (Picture Courtesy: HUM Network Limited) 

We started working on the idea of holding Social Media Awards as people were consuming these platforms more in lockdown,” Hum Network Limited President Sultana Siddiqui told Arab News.
“I feel proud as this is the first time that a TV channel in Pakistan has collaborated with Facebook to recognize the potential of social media,” she said, adding that the awards were a first for the whole region, and even in India an event of this kind had not been organized.
Hassan Salahuddin, head of Facebook Pakistan media partnerships, also expressed excitement about the country’s first-ever social media awards.
“Pakistan’s digital landscape has evolved over the past few years, and content creators have built a unique place in our day-to-day lives by entertaining, inspiring and educating us,” he said. “It is heartening to see them receive acknowledgement and appreciation for their hard work. We will keep extending this support in future as well.”
Nominations were based on achievements across platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, social media followership, interaction rate and content created between July 2019 and June 2020.




Hosts with Aiman Khan and Muneeb Butt at Pakistan’s first social media awards ceremony that was powered by Facebook on October 2, 2020. (Picture Courtesy: HUM Network Limited) 

Many famous Pakistani entertainment stars were not taken into account in the nomination process, Siddiqui said, as the criteria of social media presence were strictly followed.
“Facebook was also cross-checking the whole process,” she added.
Winners were selected through votes cast by HUM’s local and international audience on the network’s website between Sept. 10 and Sept. 22.
Organizers, Siddiqui said, see the awards as a “steppingstone” in encouraging and inspiring young and emerging content creators to “utilize their platforms and their abilities to create meaningful and impactful content.”




Hosts Yasir Hussain and Mooroo can be seen at Pakistan’s first social media awards ceremony that was powered by Facebook on October 2, 2020. (Picture Courtesy: HUM Network Limited) 

But they also recognize the increasing significance of social media.
“Social media is the most efficient medium particularly in the post-COVID-19 scenario,” Hassan Jawed, head HUM’s digital team, said.
“We believe that this is the right time to introduce Pakistan’s first digital awards show to celebrate and honor creative content creators, individuals and businesses who have proved their mettle in the social media landscape of the country.”


Pakistan’s Punjab unveils $18.9 billion budget, increases development spending by 47%

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Pakistan’s Punjab unveils $18.9 billion budget, increases development spending by 47%

  • Punjab allocates $4.40 billion for development budget, $2.88 billion for education and $2.24 billion for health sectors
  • Provincial government proposes increase in minimum wage from $131 to $142 per month

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s largest and richest Punjab province on Monday unveiled its Rs5.33 trillion [$18.9 billion] budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, increasing its development spending by 47% and refraining from imposing new taxes on the masses. 

Punjab, home to more than half of Pakistan’s over 240 million people, plays a dominant role in the national economy. It contributes roughly 60% to Pakistan’s gross domestic product and receives the largest share of federal funds under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.

Last year, Punjab’s budget for FY2024–25 was about $19.6 billion, with a development outlay of $3 billion. Punjab’s budget is seen as politically significant for the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which has faced tough economic and governance challenges since forming its government at the center last year. 

“The total outlay for [Punjab’s] 2025-2026 budget is Rs5,335 billion [$19.2 billion],” Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said while presenting the budget in the provincial assembly. 

Rehman said the provincial government was presenting a “record-breaking development budget” this time.

“For which the total amount recommended is Rs1,240 billion [$4.36 billion], which is more than 47% compared to the current financial year,” he added. 

The minister said the FY26 budget did not contain any new taxes on the masses, adding that the government wanted to widen the tax net to increase revenue. 

Punjab’s own-source revenue is projected at Rs828.1 billion ($2.94 billion), including Rs524.7 billion ($1.86 billion) in tax receipts and Rs303.4 billion ($1.08 billion) in non-tax receipts. 

According to budget documents seen by Arab News, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has set a national target of Rs14,131 billion ($50.11 billion), with Punjab’s share estimated at Rs4,062.2 billion ($14.4 billion).

Rehman said the province has proposed a significant increase in education and health budgets to benefit the people of Punjab. 

HEALTH, EDUCATION BUDGETS

“The total allocation for the education sector is Rs811.8 billion ($2.88 billion), which is 21% higher than last year, where development allocation stands at Rs148.5 billion ($526 million), the highest in the province’s history and 127% higher than the previous year,” he said. 

He said Punjab would launch new education projects while continuing existing ones, allocating Rs15 billion ($53 million) for scholarships for high-achieving students and continuing with its Rs5.9 billion ($21 million) Undergraduate Scholarship Programme. 

“To address infrastructure needs, Rs40 billion ($142 million) is set aside for building classrooms, while a Rs35 billion ($124 million) Education Delivery Programme aims to enhance access and quality across Punjab,” Rehman said. 

The minister said the provincial government has allocated Rs630.5 billion ($2.24 billion) for the health sector in this budget, which is 17% higher than last year. 

“Of this, Rs181 billion ($641 million) is earmarked for development, reflecting a 41% increase over the previous year,” Rehman said. 

The minister said Punjab had allocated Rs494 billion ($1.75 billion) for the social sector, which accounted for 40% of the development budget. 

Rehman said provincial government employees’ salaries would be increased by 10%, while pensions have been raised by 5% and the proposed increase in the minimum wage is from Rs37,000 ($131) to Rs40,000 ($142) per month.

The minister said that the new budget has given special priority to Pakistan’s agriculture sector. 

“In the next financial year, Rs123 billion ($436 million) are allocated for development in the agriculture, livestock, irrigation, and water sectors, while Rs56.2 billion ($199 million) is allocated for non-development expenses,” he said.

The provincial minister said to ensure a climate-resilient Punjab, a record Rs795 billion (approximately $2.82 billion) worth of projects were included in the budget this year, accounting for 64% of the overall development budget.

Pakistan’s top revenue-generating Sindh province last Friday unveiled its Rs3.45 trillion ($12.41 billion) new budget while the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province announced a surplus budget of Rs2,119 billion ($7.63 billion) for the next year on the same day.


Pakistan says armed forces ‘fully alert’ amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran

Updated 16 June 2025
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Pakistan says armed forces ‘fully alert’ amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran

  • Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership last week, raising tensions in Middle East
  • Deputy PM Ishaq Dar assures lawmakers Pakistan’s nuclear facilities remain safe amid ongoing conflict

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Monday that Pakistan’s armed forces were “fully alert” amid Israel’s ongoing military conflict with Iran, vowing to safeguard the country’s nuclear assets. 

Dar’s statement came as the military conflict between Iran and Israel entered its fourth day on Monday, with no signs of the two sides letting up. The worst fighting between the regional foes began late Friday when Israel carried out strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership. So far, Iran says 224 people have been killed due to Israeli strikes while Tel Aviv has said at least 18 people have been killed by Iran. 

During a senate session, opposition lawmaker Shibli Faraz questioned whether Pakistan’s nuclear facilities were safe in light of Israel’s recent strikes against Iran, urging the government not to be complacent in safeguarding them. 

“Israel dare not look to Pakistan,” Dar said in response. “By the grace of god, Pakistan has the strength to respond to a brick with a stone, to any mala fide [intentions].

“I assure my brother the armed forces of Pakistan are fully alert. As they were alert during the India-Pakistan conflict,” he added. 

The deputy prime minister was referring to India and Pakistan’s military conflict last month. The two countries pounded each other with missiles, drone strikes, fighter jets and artillery fire in a military conflict that lasted for four days before Washington brokered a ceasefire on May 10.

Dar said the Pakistani nation had developed its nuclear and missile defense system at a great cost and would protect them. 

“These are the nation’s assets, these are the nation’s trust. This is the trust for the coming generation,” he said. “It is our responsibility to safeguard it unitedly, which we will do, are doing and will do it together.”

Israel sees Iran’s nuclear program as a threat to its existence. It said its strikes on Friday were designed to avert the last steps to the production of an Iranian nuclear weapon.

Tehran insists its nuclear program is entirely civilian and it does not seek an atomic bomb. The UN nuclear watchdog, however, reported Iran last week as violating obligations under the global non-proliferation treaty.

Pakistan has criticized Israel in strong words and repeatedly said Iran has the right to retaliate under the UN Charter. Islamabad has also vowed to offer diplomatic support to Iran at international forums.


Pakistani delegation wraps up diplomatic tour to convince Western capitals after India conflict

Updated 16 June 2025
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Pakistani delegation wraps up diplomatic tour to convince Western capitals after India conflict

  • Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led delegation urges Europe to steer region ‘away from the brink’ of war
  • Before Brussels, delegation also visited New York, Washington and London on diplomatic blitz

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani delegation formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to present Islamabad’s perspective on its recent conflict with India wrapped up its Brussels tour on Monday, the chief of the mission said in a statement, calling on European leaders to help steer the region back “from the brink” of war. 

Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was heading the high-powered Pakistani delegation that visited the United States and the United Kingdom before arriving in Brussels last week. 

India and Pakistan both dispatched delegations of diplomats and parliamentarians to world capitals. Both Islamabad and New Delhi engaged the international community following their days-long armed conflict in May, which ended in a fragile ceasefire on May 10 brokered by Washington. 

During his visit to Brussels, the delegation met the European Union parliament, the EU Commission, the Belgian leadership, members of international think tanks and foreign media. Bhutto Zardari pushed for dialogue and counterterrorism cooperation with India during the tour, warning of the dangers of a nuclear-armed conflict between the two nations. 

“Europe, as a champion of the rules-based international order and international law, must help steer the region back from the brink,” Bhutto Zardari wrote on social media platform X. 

The former foreign minister highlighted that during his visit to Brussels, the Pakistani delegation called for restraint and dialogue after a “fragile ceasefire.” He said the delegation had also warned of the lowest-ever conflict threshold in South Asia and India’s” weaponization” of water and global mechanisms. 

Bhutto Zardari in recent weeks severely criticized India’s move to suspend a decades-old water-sharing treaty with Pakistan in April. The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 governs the usage of the Indus river system. The accord has not been revived despite the rivals agreeing on a ceasefire on May 10.

Islamabad had said after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty that it considered any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan to be an “act of war.”

About 80 percent of Pakistani farms depend on the Indus system, as do nearly all hydropower projects serving the country of some 250 million.

Former information minister Sherry Rehman, a prominent member of the delegation, said some members would head back to Pakistan while others would next visit the French city of Strasbourg. 

“When the world needs diplomacy, multilateralism and the power of intl law to return to its centerstage, the rules that support order are under strain like never before,” she wrote on social media platform X.


Pakistan holds key rate at 11 percent as Mideast conflict overshadows growth push

Updated 16 June 2025
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Pakistan holds key rate at 11 percent as Mideast conflict overshadows growth push

  • Central bank maintains cautious stance as heightened geopolitical tensions, volatile global oil prices add new inflation risks 
  • Bank paused its easing cycle in March, following cumulative cuts totaling 1,000 basis points from a record high of 22 percent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s central bank kept its key policy rate unchanged at 11 percent on Monday, maintaining a cautious stance as heightened geopolitical tensions and volatile global oil prices add new risks to inflation and the fragile external sector.

A Reuters poll released earlier on Monday had shown analysts revising their expectations for a rate cut in light of Israel’s military strikes on Iran that began on Friday and have since intensified, pushing up global commodity prices.

“The [Monetary Policy] Committee noted some potential risks to the external sector amidst the sustained widening in the trade deficit and weak financial inflows. Moreover, some of the proposed FY26 budgetary measures may further widen the trade deficit by increasing imports,” the central bank said, announcing its decision to leave the rate unchanged.

“In this regard, the Committee deemed today’s decision appropriate to sustain the macroeconomic and price stability.” 

Inflation in Pakistan has slowed markedly since peaking at around 40 percent in May 2023. However, last month it rose to 3.5 percent year-on-year, above the finance ministry’s projection of up to 2 percent, partly due to the fading of favorable base effects. The central bank projects average inflation between 5.5 percent and 7.5 percent for the fiscal year ending this month.

The bank paused its easing cycle in March, following cumulative cuts totaling 1,000 basis points from a record high of 22 percent, and resumed it with a 100-basis-point reduction in May.

Monday’s meeting came days after the government presented a tight annual budget, which increased defense spending by 20 percent but reduced overall expenditure by 7 percent. It projects GDP growth at 4.2 percent for the next fiscal year, up from a provisional estimate of 2.7 percent for the current year.

The MPC noted that despite the widening trade deficit, the current account remained broadly balanced in April, and foreign exchange reserves rose to $11.7 billion as of June 6 after the completion of the first review under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility.

Revised budget estimates show the primary surplus at 2.2 percent of GDP for FY25, up from 0.9 percent last year, with a higher target of 2.4 percent for the upcoming fiscal year.

Global oil prices have rebounded sharply, driven by the evolving Middle East crisis and some easing of US-China trade tensions, the MPC noted.

“Taking stock of these developments and potential risks, the Committee assessed that the real interest rate remains adequately positive to stabilize inflation within the target range of 5–7 percent,” the statement said.

It added that timely foreign inflows, planned fiscal consolidation, and structural reforms remained essential to maintain macroeconomic stability and achieve sustainable growth.


Pakistan says fuel stocks sufficient, vows vigilance as Israel-Iran conflict rattles markets

Updated 16 June 2025
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Pakistan says fuel stocks sufficient, vows vigilance as Israel-Iran conflict rattles markets

  • Committee to monitor petroleum pricing and supply in response to Israel’s attack on Iran holds inaugural meeting
  • Pakistan relies heavily on imported oil, global price swings can drain its foreign reserves and fuel domestic inflation

KARACHI: Pakistan currently holds adequate stocks of petroleum products and faces no immediate risk of supply disruption, the finance ministry said on Monday, while warning that continued vigilance was needed as Middle East tensions pushed oil markets into fresh volatility.

The statement came after the inaugural meeting of a committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week to monitor petroleum pricing and supply in response to an ongoing military confrontation between Israel and Iran. 

Oil markets have been volatile amid the escalation, with Brent crude prices jumping about 7 percent last Friday to near $75 per barrel, but edging down on Monday, as renewed military strikes by both nations over the weekend left oil production and export facilities unaffected.

Concern is focused on potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one‑fifth of global oil transits, and weak supply growth from Iran, which produces about 3.3 million barrels per day. Analysts caution any sustained spike could drive up global freight rates, insurance premiums and inflation, particularly in energy‑importing countries like Pakistan.

“The committee expressed satisfaction that Pakistan currently holds adequate stocks of petroleum products and there is no immediate risk of supply disruption. Nonetheless, members emphasized the need for continued vigilance given the rapidly changing regional context,” the finance ministry said after the first meeting of the committee, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

The ministry added that to ensure timely response and effective coordination, a working group would monitor developments on a daily basis, and the full committee would meet weekly to review the situation and submit recommendations to the prime minister. 

“The Government of Pakistan remains fully committed to maintaining energy security, stabilizing markets, and protecting the national interest during this critical time,” the statement added.

The committee has been entrusted with monitoring the forward/futures prices of petroleum products and the predictability of supply chains, determining the foreign reserve implications of price volatility in the short and medium term, suggesting a plan, if and when required, to ensure there were no supply disruptions and the market was well supplied, and carrying out a detailed analysis of the fiscal impact in the event of a protracted conflict.

Pakistan relies heavily on imported oil, and any sustained spike in prices could widen its current account deficit and push inflation higher at a time when the country is struggling with low foreign reserves and slow growth.

The Israel-Iran conflict started on Friday when Israel launched a massive wave of attacks targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities but also hitting residential areas, sparking retaliation and fears of a broader regional conflict. Over 220, mostly civilians have been killed in Iran so far, while Israel has reported 23 deaths in retaliatory strikes by Tehran.

Pakistan and Iran share a 909 kilometer (565 mile) long international boundary that separates Iran’s southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province from Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. 

“Israel-Iran conflict presents complex challenges for Pakistan as rising oil prices may increase import costs and inflation, influencing monetary policy and growth, while disruptions to key routes like the Strait of Hormuz can affect energy supplies and critical projects,” Khaqan Najeeb, an economist and former finance ministry adviser, told Arab News last week. 

“It can potentially affect consumer purchasing power and production costs ... Possible disruptions to shipping routes and higher freight charges might result in delays to imports and exports, thereby exerting additional pressure on Pakistan’s external sector.”