By our correspondent / DNAISLAMABAD: Pakistan Basketball team reaches Maldives on Wednesday in order to participate in the five-nation international basketball championship to be starting from June 15th in Male. The Pakistan team also met with Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Shoaib Khoso before departure to Maldives. DG PSB Shoaib Khoso is hopeful that the talented Pakistan Basketball Team will perform brilliantly in the five-nation basketball championship. This championship will be helpful for the Pakistan team to get international exposure after a long period of seven years. Besides the team, for the first time in decades a Pakistani Basketball Referee Syed Adnan Ali, from Karachi, who is also a FIBA certified referee will also officiate in the five-nation international basketball championship.

“There are increasing risks that Pakistan may be unable to complete the IMF programme that expires at the end of June,” said Grace Lim, a sovereign analyst with the rating company in Singapore. “Without an IMF programme, Pakistan could default, given its very weak reserves." The country is making a final effort to revive its IMF programme, with a financing gap of $2 billion and exchange-rate policy among the biggest hurdles. Pakistan faces about $23 billion of external debt payments for the fiscal year 2024, which begins in July. A day earlier, The Express Tribune reported Finance Minister Ishaq Dar held a virtual meeting with IMF Mission Chief Nathan Porter on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to secure the IMF programme.

The sources added that the IMF raised questions about the viability of the budget numbers, particularly the non-tax revenues. Soon after the meeting with the IMF, Dar did not comment on the question about its outcome and left the venue. Dar had also informed the Chinese diplomat about the diminishing prospects of the revival of the IMF loan programme. Of the remaining balance of $3.2 billion, $2.3 billion will be rolled over by China. Minister of State for Finance Dr Aisha Pasha said Pakistan could not give the amnesty during the programme period.

By Gateway HouseBy Amit Bhandari*Since the beginning of 2023, Pakistani politicians have repeatedly asserted that a ‘deal’ with the IMF is anywhere from days to weeks away. However, earlier this week, the IMF rejected Pakistan’s request for a loan, as per Pakistani media reports[1]. Pakistan is close to defaulting on its international loans, with official forex reserves of $4.09 billion, enough to cover a month of imports. These numbers indicate a financial emergency, but Pakistan seems to be in no rush to close a deal with the IMF. “Govt Scrambles as IMF Rejects Pakistan’s Loan Request” The Express Tribune, June 2, 2023. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2419796/govt-scrambles-as-imf-rejects-pakistans-loan-request[2] SPA.

Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain on Tuesday said that the future of this nation depends on the performance of teachers. “It is important to provide the right training to the teachers in order to deliver their mandate” he underlined. With proper training, Education Minister said that teachers can ensure the proper education of the youth. “I hope that the newly recruited teachers will perform their duties with full honesty and integrity, Rana Tanveer Hussain remarked. The delegation received a warm reception from senior officials at Parliament House, setting the tone for an insightful experience.

SHIKARPUR - One policeman was martyred and another injured after robbers attacked a police checkpost in district Shikapur in the wee hours of Tuesday. According to details, a gang of robbers equipped with heavy automated weapons stormed Rustam police checkpost in Shikapur. A policeman identified as Younas Hakro was martyred in the attack while another was seriously injured in the attack. The body and injured cop were shifted to hospital. The police cordoned off the area after the attack and conducted search operation for the assailants.

LAHORE - Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) on Tuesday honored the Pakistan national volleyball team and officials with cash rewards for winning the five-nation Engro Central Asian Volleyball Championship which was held in Pakistan last year in November. A simple ceremony was held at a local hotel in Islamabad to honor and acknowledge the performance of the national volleyball team who beat favourite Iran in the final of the championship where Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan also participated in the international event. Chairman of Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) Choudhary Muhammad Yaqoob was the chief guest of the ceremony while Engro Group Senior Vice President Syed Zahoor Mehdi, Army Sports Directorate Lieutenant Colonel Nabeel Ahmed Rana, Brazilian coach Issanaye Ramires Ferraz and others dignitaries were also present during the ceremony.

The joy of fishermen in Karachi has been shattered by the impact of tropical cyclone Biparjoy, which has disrupted their fishing activities and left them unemployed during what is typically a rare respite for them in June. As a result, hundreds of fishermen have been affected by the cyclone. Those who rely on fishing as daily wages labourers find themselves without work, anxiously waiting for the storm to pass. While some experienced fishermen venture into the sea daily, others spend weeks searching for substantial catches. Although the fishermen are concerned about the economic impact, they are equally worried about the potential damage to their communities.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, known for his wit, charm, and engaging interactions with fans, delighted his followers once again by hosting a special #AskSRK session on Twitter. Ok 15 minutes #AskSRK because we all need our 15 minutes of Game….. — Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 12, 2023One Twitter user posed the question, "What do you have that other actors don't?" Abhi bhi seekh raha hoon… https://t.co/jspxcUR2TE — Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 12, 2023Life in overall has been very good to me. https://t.co/3DxkrKnkln — Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 12, 2023No I live in the moment. pic.twitter.com/KBnWEGx4BV — Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 12, 2023Have something to add?

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed another graft case against People's Leasing and Financial Services (PLFS) Chairman Uzzal Kumar Nandi, who is a close associate of notorious scammer Prashanta Kumar Halder, also known as PK Halder. In his confessional statement, Uzzal Kumar Nandi said he, as the PLFS managing director, had paid PK Halder Tk200,000 per month on ILFSL employee Shah Alam's instructions. He added that PK Halder used another PLFS and ILFSL officer, SK Sur Chowdhury, to manage various irregularities. So far, alltogether 40 cases have been registered against PK Halder and his associates by the ACC. Moreover, he is the proprietor of Uzzal Nandi & Co. Chartered Accountants, according to ACC files.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain on Tuesday said that the future of this nation depends on the performance of teachers. Federal Minister stressed that there is no room for nepotism and corruption in our children’s future. With proper training, Education Minister said that teachers can ensure the proper education of the youth. “I hope that the newly recruited teachers will perform their duties with full honesty and integrity, Rana Tanveer Hussain remarked. We have to fulfill our role honestly so that we can take the country on the path of success,” said Rana Tanveer Hussain.

ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad Capital Police has issued notices to suspend the driving licenses of 104 e-challan defaulters. An additional 293 lawbreakers who had violated traffic rules have submitted their 4,044 e-challans and paid a fine of Rs 8.10 lakh, a police public relations officer said on Monday. He said that the e-challan defaulter vehicles are being traced and impounded in different police stations with the help of Safe City cameras. Meanwhile, the remaining defaulters are being informed through messages, phone calls and on the official website of the Islamabad capital police, www.islamabadpolice.gov.pk. Meanwhile, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) issued 51,660 fine tickets to motorcyclists, driving their bikes without helmets.

The recent tragic road accident in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, leading to avoidable fatalities, highlights the dire need for safety mechanisms to assist drivers on challenging routes. It is incumbent upon the state to ensure road safety, which encompasses both secure infrastructure and comprehensive driver training. Continuous efforts to enhance road safety demand collaborative measures between the state and the community. Road safety is an essential right. Investing in infrastructure upgrades, enhancing driver training, and adopting proactive approaches to road safety will yield tangible outcomes.

Photo: fileState Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad has reportedly expressed his lack of knowledge regarding the debt restructuring exercise mentioned by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, indicating a communication gap between the government and the central bank. Pakistan’s GDP growth rate for the outgoing fiscal year 2023 was a mere 0.3%, significantly lower than the 6.1% achieved in FY22. The private sector, considered the engine of economic growth, needs access to affordable credit to stimulate economic expansion. While the SBP has raised the policy rate cumulatively by 7.25 percentage points during FY23, further significant rate cuts are necessary to fuel economic growth. The significant contraction in the industrial sector and the slower growth in the services sector have been major drags on economic growth.

Kanye West recently stirred up controversy with his unique approach to serving sushi at his private birthday party. The rapper, who turned 46, celebrated with guests including his and ex-wife Kim Kardashian's eldest daughter, North West, and his new partner and rumoured wife, Bianca Censori, reports The Independent. Kanye West had sushi being served on a naked woman at his 46th birthday party 👀🍣 pic.twitter.com/JO191hLQyl — Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) June 12, 2023One tweep criticised West, stating, "Treating a human woman like a plate is kind of misogynistic." West covers naked women in sushi for his guests to eat off while attending his 46th birthday party." 🤦🏼‍♂️Kanye West covers naked woman in sushi 🍣 🍱 for his guests to eat off while attending his 46th birthday party.