Indecision mars PPP strategy on Punjab joint candidates
With only two days to go to withdraw nomination papers in two constituencies in Punjab, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has yet to decide on fielding joint candidates with its once arch-foe -- the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) -- The Express Tribune has learnt. PPP Punjab President Qamar Zaman Qaira said that his party has not decided yet on the proposal of fielding joint candidates, showing that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) member parties are finding it difficult to reach a consensus to contest next month’s by-elections jointly. Interestingly, the PPP central leader on Friday last had claimed that his party would decide the matter in the next two to three days. PPP parliamentary leader Hasan Murtaza told The Express Tribune that his party would want to contest by-election in PP-51 Wazirabad. With only two days to go to withdraw nomination papers in two constituencies in Punjab, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has yet to decide on fielding joint candidates with its once arch-foe -- the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) -- The Express Tribune has learnt.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 18, 2021 05:03 UTC
Pakistan to welcome pilgrims for Nankana Sahib centenary
The Sikh community is all set to observe the Saka Nankana Sahib event from February 19 to 21, for which Pakistan has decided to issue visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims to attend the religious ceremony across the border. The three-day event will be attended by thousands of Sikh pilgrims from different countries, including India. This will be the first time that Pakistan will issue visas to Indian Sikhs to attend Saka Nankana Sahib event. Secretary General Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Sardar Amir Singh, said that the 100th anniversary of Saka Nankana Sahib massacre would begin on February 19, while the main function would be held on February 21. Head of Shiromani Gurdwara Committee, Jagjir Kaur, has revealed that around 5,000 Sikh pilgrims are expected to arrive in Pakistan for the event.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 18, 2021 05:03 UTC
13 K-P districts without land settlement
Around 13 districts out of a total of 35 in the K-P province are without land record known as land settlement including the newly merged tribal districts, posing a serious challenge to the Revenue Department. Official sources told The Express Tribune that land settlement has been in the final stages in Chitral Upper and Lower while work on the land records had been started in Malakand in 2019 and was still underway. Those districts where settlement work is yet to be started include Dir Lower, Dir Upper, Torghar, Kohistan, Kohistan Lower, Kolai Palas, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North and South Waziristan. Read Killer rains claim five lives, injure 20 in a day in K-PWhen contacted a Revenue Department spokesperson told The Express Tribune that they were facing pressure from NAB to complete the settlement work soon. “We have started work in 24 tehsils of seven tribal districts on the settlement and all the land records are computerized from the day one.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 18, 2021 04:41 UTC
Public sector universities face huge deficits
Almost all public sector universities across the K-P province have been in the grip of a severe financial crisis. The Higher Education Department recently issued a circular directing all the varsities to not pay pension to the new recruits to help them overcome the crisis. The Agriculture University of Peshawar is also facing the financial crunch as it is unable to pay pension to its employees. An official of the university said that the university had to pay more than 300 pensions every month which is a huge liability. There are 29 universities in the province established in a short span of time in the past.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 18, 2021 04:41 UTC
ECP’s support for secret ballot surprises PTI
He questioned as to what steps the ECP has taken so far to make the Senate elections transparent. It is also learnt that not all the government functionaries are on same page regarding open ballot in the Senate elections. Interestingly, the PTI had not invited applications for party tickets for the Senate elections so far. Surprisingly, pro-establishment lawyers are openly saying that Senate elections could not be held through open ballot without a constitutional amendment. It added that “election of the Senate ‘is election under the Constitution’ for the purposes of Article 226 of the Constitution”.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 18, 2021 04:18 UTC
SBP – a pillar of support for business
Among others, the central bank and its leadership responded aggressively to the unfolding challenges during the pandemic and shielded the economy through timely measures and initiatives. The Express Tribune conducted a brief survey to find out whether the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) took proactive measures with Governor Reza Baqir at the helm. Baqir is a capable governor of the central bank. At the same time, the SBP has provided business an opportunity to invest through the 10-year fixed-rate TERF (Temporary Economic Refinance Facility). The market-based exchange rate is based on the demand and supply of dollars in the system.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 18, 2021 03:11 UTC
Blackpink’s Jennie launches Youtube channel on 25 birthday
On the event of her birthday, Blackpink’s Jennie launched her own YouTube channel, and fans are ecstatic about seeing their favourite on screen. On Friday, the idol uploaded her first video on her new channel titled ‘Jennierubyjane Official’, reported Pinkvilla. I finally got to open my YouTube channel. I was thinking about what to do for my birthday, and I decided to share my daily life and exciting things with you.”Later into the video, Jennie performed some famous Hollywood tunes. As an early birthday present from fans, on Saturday Jennie became the first South Korean female singer to cross 600M views on YouTube — feat she achieved with her aptly named hit song Solo.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 17, 2021 07:07 UTC
Honour continues to claim lives in K-P
Honour has long claimed many lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and continues to be listed among the province’s most vicious killers to date. However, the most harrowing case to rattle the northwestern province in recent times comes from a village in district Charsadda, where a teenage boy was killed in cold blood. Seventeen year old Owais, an exemplary student of engineering at the Islamia College Peshawar, whose body was discovered in the fields last month. Per case details, Owais had come from the city to his home in district Charsadda to spend his college holidays. Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2021.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 17, 2021 05:37 UTC
Elimination of pension for widows on cards
For the current fiscal year of 2020-21 the allocation for pension is Rs86 billion against the development budget of Rs104 billion. The proposal to eliminate pension for widows has been put forward as part of fiscal reforms for the next budge. Currently if a pensioner dies his widow or daughter or sister could claim his monthly pension if they are dependent financially on the pensioner. When contacted Finance Minister Tamur Saleem told The Express Tribune that the proposal was under consideration and it will be implemented once approved by the cabinet. Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2021.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 17, 2021 05:37 UTC
Two students molested by seminary driver
Two children were allegedly assaulted repeatedly by a van driver inside a seminary in Gujjar Gahri area of Mardan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Sheikh Matoon police station, after registering an FIR in the case, arrested the accused Muhammad Kamran and started investigation into the case. Lodging an FIR with Sheikh Maltoon police station, the complainant Shakir Ullah stated that his 11-year-old brother, along with three other students study at a local religious seminary in Gujjar Ghari area of Mardan. He said that strict action should be taken against the accused as well as the seminary administration who completely failed to protect the minor children. Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2021.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 17, 2021 05:35 UTC
Mystery surrounds doctor’s murder in North Waziristan
A doctor working as assistant professor in Bannu Medical College was gunned down by unidentified people on Epi Road in Miranshah, North Waziristan district. Dr Waliullah was on his way to Mir Ali from Peshawar where he practiced in his private laboratory every Saturday and Sunday. He was accompanied by his friend Dr Zahid Iqbal who escaped unhurt in the firing. Dr Zahid later told that they were on their way in a car when they heard loud firing and during driving Dr Waliullah was hit by a bullet from back side. Meanwhile, Young Doctors’ Association has condemned the brutal murder of Dr Waliullah and demanded of the government to arrest the culprits responsible.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 17, 2021 05:35 UTC
Yarn manufacturers seek implementation of lower power tariff
PHOTO: REUTERSYarn manufacturers have requested the federal government to implement the schedule of reduction in electricity tariff, which it had announced for the export-oriented sector. “This way, domestic industries affected by the Covid-19 outbreak can get the much needed relief and stand on their feet,” he said. According to a press release, the officials inquired about the reasons behind failure to provide the reduced electricity tariff adjustment facility announced by the federal government for the textile sector. Officials from the delegation also requested additional connections at their business places as well as change of names in the bills. The power utility firm chief also promised to resolve other issues being faced by the PYMA members.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 17, 2021 04:30 UTC
PPP to lock horns with GDA in PS-52 by-polls
On Monday, Sindh’s Umerkot will turn into a political battleground when the PS-52 by-election will see the PPP locking horns with the PTI-backed Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA). On the other hand, the GDA which is backed by the ruling party in the Centre, has fielded former Sindh chief minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim. Ameer Ali Shah hails from Umerkot while Dr Rahim comes from the neighbouring Tharparkar district. On the other hand, the PTI and Sindh United Party have thrown their weight behind Dr Rahim. Speaking to The Express Tribune, PML-N Sindh President Shah Mohammad Shah said his party had decided to support the PPP in the by-polls scheduled in Sanghar and Karachi too.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 17, 2021 03:22 UTC
An evolving avian world amid a concrete jungle
The metropolis, even with its characteristic jungle of concrete and unhealthy air, has, seemingly, turned into a magnanimous owls’ nest- so observe its bird conservationists and wildlife photographers. “The population of all bird species has gone up here,” he said, attributing the change to increase in awareness about protecting wildlife among the city’s residents. No numbersBut like others, Beg is unable to give a number by which the birds’ population has gone up in the city. “There is simply no data of the number of species of birds residing in Karachi,” he said. “But Karachi, [likely], has more birds than any other city in Pakistan,” reckoned Mahar, again stressing the need for a survey to record the metropolis’ bird population.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 17, 2021 03:11 UTC
Primary classes to reopen from Feb 1, says Shafqat Mahmood
Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood announced on Friday that primary classes will reopen nationwide from February 1, while grades 9 -12 will resume from January 18 as planned. Federal and provincial ministers from the education and health sectors deliberated on the matter in detail and reviewed different aspects. He added that the decision to resume the primary classes was taken after reviewing the health situation in the country. In this regard, he added, their classes will resume as per the given schedule. Meanwhile, another meeting between the education and health ministers will be held next week to review the situation further.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 15, 2021 07:49 UTC