Coup Fears in Myanmar
As Myanmar grapples with escalating turmoil and the specter of another military coup hangs ominously over the nation, the crisis reaches a critical juncture. Amidst this chaos and uncertainty, the possibility of another military coup cannot be dismissed. The international community must not underestimate the potential ramifications of another military coup in Myanmar. ASEAN must play a central role in coordinating a concerted response to the crisis in Myanmar. The possibility of another military coup in Myanmar is a stark reality that cannot be ignored.
Source:The Nation
May 21, 2024 18:42 UTC
NAC approves provisional GDP at 2.38% for fiscal year 2023-24
ISLAMABAD, May 21: The National Accounts Committee (NAC) on Tuesday approved the provisional growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country at 2.38 per cent for the ongoing fiscal year (2023-24). The committee approved the quarterly GDP growth rates for first-quarter (revised), second (revised), and third quarters during the fiscal year 2023-24 and annual growth rates for 2021-22 (final), 2022-23 (revised) and 2023-24 (provisional). Overall GDP forthe first quarter and second quarter for the fiscal year 2023-24 have witnessed a revised growth of 2.71% and 1.79% as compared to 2.50% and 1.0% estimated in the 108th NAC meeting. The economy has posted a stable growth of 2.09% during the third quarter of fiscal year 2023-24. Further, the revised growth during the fiscal year 2022-23 is -0.21%, which was estimated at -0.17% in the previous meeting.
Source:The Patriot
May 21, 2024 17:05 UTC
Saudi crown prince reassures nation about king’s health during Cabinet meeting
Saudi Arabia, Japan leaders exchange views in video summit meetingTOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio held a productive video meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the prime minister of Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. Kishida offered his best wishes for King Salman’s health, a gesture that was appreciated by the crown prince. The crown prince expressed his desire to visit Japan as soon as possible to further strengthen ties with Japan. He emphasized the shared goal of realizing peace and stability in the Middle East, a sentiment that was echoed by the crown prince. Read More: Saudi, Japan discuss ties at Vision 2030 business forum in Tokyo
Source:The Nation
May 21, 2024 16:49 UTC
Global promotion of Nanga Parbat National Park need of the time
Global promotion of Nanga Parbat National Park can fetch socio-economic and ecological benefits for Pakistan and the local communities. There is a need to make a new set of regulations to address the true purpose of a national park and to provide the related communities with a source of sustainable income.”Gradually, he said, the change will take place. She said Nanga Parbat National Park was rich in a variety of flora. Some common ones are Spruce, Birch, Blue Pine, Juniper, Fir, Willow, and Sea buckthorn. Dr Tahira said Blue Pine produced a resin and was a great source of turpentine.
Source:The Nation
May 21, 2024 15:47 UTC
Proposal to keep FBR’s tax target at 12 thousand 400 billion rupees for the new financial year
Islamabad: There has been a proposal to set the tax target of FBR at 12 thousand 400 billion rupees for the new financial year. The target of domestic exports for the next financial year is proposed to be 32.7 billion dollars. billion dollars, the Ministry of Finance has proposed a remittance target of 30.6 billion dollars for the next financial year and the financial deficit for the next financial year has been estimated at 9600 billion rupees. According to sources, it is proposed to allocate 1000 billion rupees for federal development projects in the next financial year, the tax target of FBR is proposed to be 12 thousand 400 billion, which is 1300 billion rupees more than this year, while interest on loans. 9700 billion rupees will be allocated forSources say that the pension bill is likely to increase from 801 billion to 960 billion next year.
Source:The Patriot
May 21, 2024 15:02 UTC
Of reliance and reliability
The English papers, to their credit, were arguably quoting the numbers from a recent conference in Karachi on the issue of antimicrobial resistance. They were quoting public health professionals but provided no basis for the numbers. The issue of antimicrobial resistance is both serious and urgent. There is much to be said about the lack of seriousness in the public health policy sector — and much has been written. However, we fail to recognise and acknowledge that the poor performance of the policy sector is multiplied by the incompetence and ignorance of those who report important public health issues.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 21, 2024 11:00 UTC
Registration of Kisan Card to start from June 1st: Secy
LAHORE - Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo on Monday said that registration of Kisan Card would be started from June 1st. He presided over a meeting here, in which he reviewed the progress related to issuance of Kisan Card and setting up of Centres of Excellence. He said this loan scheme would be very simple and transparent and the procedure of interest free loan scheme had been finalized. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said that this unique loan scheme would be used only for purchase of agricultural inputs. A Center of Excellence was being established at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad as per international standards.
Source:The Nation
May 21, 2024 06:03 UTC
Nation to observe day of mourning on Raisi’s demise
In their separate messages of condolences they sympathised with the Iranian nation on the death of their president. They prayed to Almighty Allah for the martyred souls’ peace, and for the Iranian nation to overcome this tragedy with customary courage. “Our sympathies and prayers are with the family members of the martyrs and the people of Iran,” Shehbaz said. Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz and the Pakistani nation for standing with his country during the difficult time. He said President Raisi also considered Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the best human being and a friend of Iran.
Source:The Nation
May 21, 2024 05:04 UTC
Matansa, Kanoa to face off in MSL 1 finals
File photo shows Kanoa’s Andrew Sablan twisting his way out of MP United’s clutches and tries to make a run for the loose ball during one of their matchup in the Marianas Soccer League 1 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 20, 2024 20:04 UTC
How will the federal government reduce its costs? Plan submission to IMF
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has submitted a cost reduction plan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to the sources, in the plan submitted by the Ministry of Finance to the IMF, it is stated that the federal government will reduce the expenses of more than 300 billion rupees in a year. Sources say that there will be a complete ban on buying new vehicles by the federal ministries, all posts in grades 1 to 16, which have been vacant for a year, will be eliminated. Sources say that the federal government will not fund the development projects of the provinces, the federal government will only provide resources for important and national development projects, infrastructure projects will be done under public-private partnership. Sources say that apart from defense and police, a voluntary pension scheme is also being considered for new recruits from the next financial year.
Source:The Patriot
May 20, 2024 17:27 UTC
Hot and dry weather likely in most parts of country: PMD
ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast mainly hot and dry weather for most parts of the country during the next 24 hours. Very hot weather with windstorm-dust raising winds is likely in central and southern parts. However, partly cloudy weather with rain-windstorm/thunderstorm is expected at isolated places in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Potohar region, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. According to the synoptic situation, a shallow westerly wave was present over upper parts of the country and may persist during next 24 hours. During the last 24 hours, hot and dry weather prevailed in most parts of the country while very hot in southern/central parts.
Source:The Nation
May 20, 2024 15:59 UTC
Very hot weather forecast for Sindh
KARACHI - The Pakistan Meteorological Department on Sunday predicted very hot and dry weather for most parts of the Sindh province during the next 24 hours. However, dust gusty winds/windstorm is also predicted in most districts of the province during afternoon. Mainly, very hot and dry weather is likely to prevail in the province.
Source:The Nation
May 20, 2024 15:53 UTC
The Front of Azad Kashmir and the Diaspora
It now seems impossible for Islamabad or Rawalpindi to run Azad Kashmir through a few puppets. Isn’t the bloodshed from Indian cannons on the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir enough? Out of approximately 4 million people of Azad Kashmir, 2 million do not even live in Azad Kashmir; they either reside abroad or in Pakistan. The demand of the 2 million is to provide the electricity produced from Mangla Dam, Neelum-Jhelum Project, or the waters of Azad Kashmir, which is about 4000 megawatts, at production cost to the people of Azad Kashmir, who need about 350-400 megawatts. The people of Azad Kashmir gave votes to Imran Khan in the last election and gave the PTI the mandate.
Source:The Patriot
May 20, 2024 14:46 UTC
Israel launches strikes across Gaza amid US security adviser’s meeting with Netanyahu
Israel has been pushing into the city that it says is the last bastion of Hamas forces. Netanyahu has said the operation in Rafah, where Israel believes that as much as a quarter of Hamas’ fighting forces are holed up, could be completed within weeks. The Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israel that sparked the war killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. At least 35,386 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since Oct. 7, according to the enclave’s health ministry. On Saturday, Hamas also raised concerns about the pier, warned against any foreign military force in Gaza, but made no direct threats.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 20, 2024 08:20 UTC
Contumacious Political Cult
The contumacious and pertinacious style of politics by the PTI and its top-tier leadership has consistently earned a bad reputation. They have often driven wedges of differences and conflicts instead of uniting the nation through necessary reconciliation and mediation. This was evident during the presidential address by Asif Ali Zardari in parliament when PTI-backed SIC resorted to diatribes and mudslinging. It is aptly said, “don’t bite the hand that feeds you,” but the PTI has never learned from its past mistakes. After the despicable incidents of May 9, why is this party and its leadership being treated leniently instead of facing stern actions for their wrongdoings?
Source:The Nation
May 20, 2024 00:36 UTC