Punjab govt to introduce electric, hybrid buses in Lahore in year end
The Punjab government has announced its plan to introduce hybrid and electric buses in Lahore, the provincial capital, and other cities in year end. This announcement was made during a session of the Punjab Assembly chaired by Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Chanar on Thursday. Transport Minister Bilal Akbar revealed that Lahore was slated to receive 27 electric buses, while other cities will be provided with hybrid buses. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman presented the annual reports of the Punjab Information Commission and the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC). Following the completion of the agenda, Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal adjourned the session until Friday at 2 pm.
Source:The Nation
May 17, 2024 11:52 UTC
Lok Sabha election has nothing to do with the right of self-determination
After managing the affairs according to their wishes through this fraudulent process, now the sham exercise of Lok Sabha elections has been held in the occupied valley. Interesting and pertinent is the fact that the United Nations rejected this position 70 years ago and rejected it unequivocally. The United Nations Security Council gave its decision 68 years ago on March 30, 1951 and again in November 1956 with precision and clarity. According to the principles of the right of self-determination will not be considered exercise. This assembly declared that: “Kashmir is an integral part of India and will always remain an integral part of India.”The drama of Lok Sabha election has nothing to do with the exercise of the right of self-determination.
Source:The Patriot
May 17, 2024 10:06 UTC
CTD Deficiencies: A Threat to National Security
WHILE military forces must be used to address terrorist threats on the battlefield, long-term success against violent extremists necessitates action by civilian law enforcement. However, as a new research points out, provincial counterterrorism departments lack the capacity to appropriately address the terrorist threat. The document, produced by the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, identifies major shortcomings in CTD performance. It should be highlighted that ‘capacity building/strengthening of CTDs’ is one of the areas addressed in the new National Action Plan. The current wave of terrorism, which gained speed after the collapse of the truce with the proscribed TTP, has taken a heavy toll on security personnel, with the militant threat particularly acute in KP and Balochistan.
Source:The Patriot
May 17, 2024 10:06 UTC
‘Hindu nation’: Religion trumps caste in India vote
AGRA, India: Born at the bottom of the Hindu faith’s rigid caste system, voters like Anil Sonkar will determine whether Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns to power next month. But Modi’s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has established itself as India’s dominant political force with a different pitch: think of your religion first, and caste second. Construction of the temple fulfilled a long-standing demand of Hindu activists and was widely celebrated by Hindu voters, whatever their caste group. The BJP has been able to unite a broad array of caste groups into a single bloc of support, but caste discrimination remains a fact of life both in politics and society at large. “Our lawmaker is from our caste and from the BJP,” said farmer Patiram Kushwaha, a Modi supporter reconsidering his allegiance.
Source:The Nation
May 17, 2024 05:43 UTC
Rising Inflation
Several months ago, a man, burdened by inflation and unable to provide for his family, tragically took his own life. His family was left destitute and homeless. Instances like these are not uncommon in our country, Pakistan, with inflation being the primary culprit. It entails ensuring that the rights of all individuals within a city or country are upheld. I implore the government to take immediate action to alleviate inflation and secure Pakistan’s future.
Source:The Nation
May 17, 2024 05:38 UTC
Didn’t leak Imran Khan picture: PTI lawyer Shaukat Basra
Senior lawyer and deputy secretary general PTI Shaukat Mehmood Basra has denied leaking a picture of Imran Khan that went viral earlier today (Thursday). The picture in question is a shot of a laptop screen where Imran Khan can be seen sitting wearing a blue shirt as he appeared before the Supreme Court via video-link to present arguments in the NAB law amendments case hearing. Basra, while speaking to media outside the SC premises said that he was not the one who leaked the picture and said that someone is doing propaganda against him. Earlier today Basra tweeted the picture in question from his official X (formerly Twitter) account. Here is the interaction with the media:“I want to as CJP Qazi Faez Isa why this particular hearing has not been broadcast live?”, Basra commented.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 16, 2024 21:48 UTC
WATCH: Slovak PM Fico is shot five times, survives assassination attempt
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico’s condition has stabilized, and he is no longer in a “life-threatening condition” after surviving an assassination attempt on Wednesday, said the country’s Deputy PM and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba. Fico, 59, was left in critical condition and had to undergo surgery after being shot five times while leaving a government meeting a day earlier. According to the Deputy PM, one bullet went through Fico’s stomach and another hit a joint. After the attack, Fico was rushed to a hospital in Handlova where he had been chairing a government meeting. Describing the shooting as a “monstrous” crime, Putin said in a telegram sent to Slovakia’s President Zuzana Caputova: “I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 16, 2024 21:28 UTC
Experts scrutinise Bilawal's criticism of PTI
Experts are in overwhelming consensus that political parties are primarily engaged in advancing their own vested interests rather than prioritising the country’s interest. Naveed Hussain, Chief Editor of The Express Tribune, voiced his criticism of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s political attack on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during the talk show "Experts" on Express News. Hussain, citing Bilawal's speech, pointed out that there is a clear assertion that the PTI does not adhere to democratic principles. He suggested that had the PTI accepted the offer and formed a joint government with the PPP, Bilawal's arguments would likely have been in favour of the PTI. Ilyas suggests that the survival strategy for PPP, PML-N, and other parties revolves around reducing the influence of PTI to the minimum.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 16, 2024 19:07 UTC
Pakistan team intensifies training ahead of FIH Nation’s Cup
The training camp of the national hockey team is in full swing here at the Nasir Banda Hockey Stadium as the players gear up for the FIH Nation’s Cup, scheduled to take place in Poland from May 31 to June 9 2024. According to national coach Usman Sheikh, the players are training rigorously to ensure they are in top form for the upcoming tournament. The team comprise a talented pool of players, including: two goalkeepers — Abdullah and Muneeb-ur-Rehman, six defenders — Usman Bashir, Athisham, Mohammad Abdullah, Sufiyan, Abu Bakar and captain Shakeel Butt. With just weeks to go before the Nations Hockey Cup, the team is leaving no stone unturned in their preparation, determined to make a mark on the international stage. It may be mentioned here that Pakistan team qualified for the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the first time in 13 years and bagged a silver medal in the mega event.
Source:The Nation
May 16, 2024 17:09 UTC
The Supreme Court started an investigation into Imran Khan’s photo going viral
Islamabad: The Supreme Court administration has started an investigation into Imran Khan’s photo going viral on social media. PTI founder Imran Khan appeared on a video link from Adiala Jail in the NAB amendments case, the picture of which appeared on social media. According to sources, the Supreme Court administration has started an investigation after the photo went viral and has been directed to identify the person who made the photo viral by looking at the CCTV cameras. Sources say that the photo has been taken in violation of courtroom rules and the police will take action against the person who made the photo viral. Sources said that the size of the video of the founder PTI in the court has been reduced after the picture went viral
Source:The Patriot
May 16, 2024 16:05 UTC
Iran-Pakistan pipeline to nowhere
The long-delayed Iran-Pakistan pipeline has put Pakistan in yet another bind of its own making. One of the items on the agenda during Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s April 22-24 visit to Pakistan was the revival of the stalled Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. The Pakistan-Iran joint statement focuses on increasing trade between the two neighboring countries to $10 billion, and scaling up cooperation in the energy domain, including the cross-border Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. “Pakistan-Iran Relations: Economic and Political Dimensions”, Center for Iranian Studies in Ankara, March 2019, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344831604_Pakistan-Iran_Relations_Economic_and_Political_Dimensions[3] “Pak, Iran formalise gas pipeline project”, Indian Express, 6 June 2009, https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/print/pak-iran-formalise-gas-pipeline-project/[4] “High pressure: President inaugurates historic Pak-Iran gas pipeline”, The Tribune, 11 March 2013, https://tribune.com.pk/story/519089/president-inaugurates-historic-gas-pipeline[5] Daniel Onyango. “Pakistan Ready to Begin Laying Gas Pipeline to Avoid Iran’s $18 Billion Arbitration Claim”, Pipeline Technology Journal, 7 February 2024, https://www.pipeline-journal.net/news/pakistan-ready-begin-laying-gas-pipeline-avoid-irans-18-billion-arbitration-claim[6] “Reko Diq Project – Arbitration Award”, Antofagasta PLC, 12 July 2019, https://www.antofagasta.co.uk/investors/news/2019/reko-diq-project-arbitration-award/#:~:text=Damages%20include%20compensation%20of%20%244.087,incurred%20in%20enforcing%20its%20rights.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 16, 2024 15:22 UTC
Overhauling the tax system on the lines of Australia or India: IMF
The IMF has proposed two models of tax harmonization: Australia and India to implement the tax model and said that it should be overhauled. Sales tax suffers from many serious defects and structural inefficiencies, the tax is divided into federal and provincial, limited tax base of goods, preferential tax supplies and long generous lists of tax exemptions. Number three, the federal sales tax system for commodities is difficult to administer and enforce due to the large number of non-enforceable taxes. The IMF requires all other goods to be taxed at a general sales tax rate of 18 per cent. Yes, a reduced tax rate of 10% can be availed on certain essential food items and health and education items.
Source:The Patriot
May 16, 2024 10:36 UTC
Overcoming trust deficit in state-centrism
Niall Ferguson, a Scottish-American historian, said low trust societies do not prosper. It is only high trust societies that go on to build strong institutions, and an edifice of rule of law in evolving an organic social contract. It has alienated the nation by burdening them under debt, and denying them the capacity and opportunity of social mobility. There is a piece of truth that we all must say and confess in national character, and humbly submit to it. This is how trust deficit can be overcome and our survival as a nation-state assured.
Source:The Nation
May 16, 2024 05:20 UTC
Very hot weather predicted in Sindh in coming days
KARACHI - The upper and central parts of Sindh to bear extremely hot weather in coming days and the scorching temperature at the day times will keep the mercury soaring above 45 on Celsius scale. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), on Wednesday, forecast very hot and dry weather in most districts of the province and weather was likely to become hotter with day time Maximum Temperature ranging 45 to 47 C in Upper and Central districts of the province from Thursday, May 16. However, isolated dust-thunderstorm/rain may occur in Tharparker, Umerkot, Badin and parts of Thatta districts on Wednesday night. The weather remained very hot and dry in most parts of the province, however rain-thunderstorm occurred at isolated places in southeastern Sindh. The highest maximum temperature in Sindh was recorded 49 C at Dadu while in Jacobabad Mercury touched the 47 C mark.
Source:The Nation
May 16, 2024 04:38 UTC
Propaganda War
Elections in India mean heightened meddling and propaganda regarding Pakistan. For months now, Indian political leadership is throwing the burden of their inefficacies under the cover of Pakistan hatred. Using it as a political tool, the leadership carrying a visible tilt towards extremism, targets both Indian Muslims and Pakistan. The historic enemy is the most favourite subject in India’s political and especially election-time discourse. However, it is equally fair to put down this propaganda and call it out for what it is; fact-strained political rhetoric.
Source:The Nation
May 16, 2024 02:30 UTC