Pakistan ranks 161st on UN’s Human Development Index, as rich-poor nations’ gap widens
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 14 (APP): Pakistan was ranked at 161st position among 191 countries on UN’s 2022/23 Human Development Index (HDI)’s annual rankings — three steps up from the 2021/22 ranking, according to a new UN Development Programme (UNDP) report. The first UNDP Human Development Report (HDR) was prepared and launched in 1990 under the leadership of the late Dr. Mahbubul Haq, a former Pakistan finance minister. Rich countries experienced unprecedented development, the Human Development Report details, yet half of the world’s poorest nations continue to languish below their pre-COVID crisis levels. “As we prepare for the Summit, I recommend the Human Development Report as an important contribution. The UNDP Human Development Report (HDR) also identified an emerging “democracy paradox”, with most of those surveyed expressed support for democracy but also endorsing leaders who may undermine democratic principles.
Source:The Nation
March 14, 2024 11:01 UTC
Change Through Praise
We should remember the simple pedagogical ‘trick’ that change is best encouraged if we use positive encouragement and praise. The state church of Norway was dissolved in 2012, but still, the country remains mainly Christian, at least culturally. A debate has begun and the church leaders must show positive and all-inclusive attitudes, the real values of all religions. All the mentioned artists remind us that music is borderless with an international language, inspiring more cooperation in music and other fields. There are many things around us that we can and should praise.
Source:The Nation
March 14, 2024 10:51 UTC
No shortcuts rule
ALL DELUDS regarding the secular state of India and its equitable treatment of its citizens should be dispelled, especially in light of the BJP’s “lawfare” against Indian Muslims during its ten-year rule. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, enacted in 2019, is among the most egregious instances of utilising the law to deny rights to groups. According to the statute, “persecuted” minorities from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are to be granted Indian citizenship. By law, anyone can apply for Indian citizenship, regardless of their faith—with the exception of Muslims. Monday marks the notification of the law by the BJP-led government, more than four years after the CAA was passed.
Source:The Patriot
March 14, 2024 09:57 UTC
PK Asked JS Leaders To Work in Tandem With TD, BJP
Vijayawada: Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday called upon his party leaders to work in coordination with TD and BJP, as they are all contesting the election in alliance with the common objective of winning the elections and developing the state. On the day, Pawan Kalyan had been interacting with Jana Sena party candidates, including Kandula Durgesh from Nidadavole, Pantham Nanaji from Kakinada Rural, Bathula Bala Ramakrishna from Rajanagaram, Lokam Madhavi from Nellimarla and others at the party office in Vijayawada on Wednesday. The JS chief explained to party leaders how they must prepare for contesting the polls in a strategic manner. He laid stress on party candidates to remain in touch with party cadre at all times. Pawan Kalyan wished that 2024 polls will change the fate of Andhra Pradesh.
Source:The Nation
March 14, 2024 07:17 UTC
Protests erupt across India against anti-Muslim citizenship law
NEW DELHI: Sporadic protests have erupted across India against the implementation of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), sparking renewed concerns about its discriminatory impact on Muslims. Narendra Modi government faces backlash as demonstrations broke out in various states, including Assam and Tamil Nadu, just days before a general election is announced. In Assam and Tamil Nadu, demonstrators voiced their opposition to the CAA, with protests involving burning copies of the law and shouting slogans against its implementation. Opposition parties in Assam have called for a statewide strike in response to the law. The CAA grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from three Muslim-majority South Asian nations, with rights activists and Muslim groups expressing concerns about its discriminatory nature, particularly when combined with a proposed national register of citizens.
Source:Pakistan Today
March 13, 2024 21:42 UTC
PM summons SIFC Apex Committee today
ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the apex committee of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has been called under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday. According to the details, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir will also attend the Apex Committee meeting. Apart from this, former Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Caretaker Cabinet have also been invited to the meeting. In the meeting, a detailed briefing will be given to the members related to SIFC and issues related to investment in the country will be reviewed. The meeting will be held tomorrow (Thursday) at 12:00pm in Prime Minister House in Islamabad.
Source:Pakistan Today
March 13, 2024 19:29 UTC
Power Crisis
Pakistan is facing an economic upheaval with an alarming 223% surge in gas tariffs within a single year, and the consequences are nothing short of a seismic. This abrupt rise in fuel costs has placed our industries on the brink, endangering our foothold in the global marketplace. His plea is not an abstract one but is grounded in the dark reality of small industries facing an exponential increase in utility bills, climbing from Rs10 million to Rs30 million monthly. The 223% hike in gas tariffs has already resulted in a 30% capacity closure in textiles and apparel, with others teetering on the edge of extinction. Shaikhani decries the reduction in gas supply during Ramazan as a detrimental move that worsens challenges faced by industries.
Source:The Nation
March 13, 2024 18:12 UTC
Imran Khan foresees Sri Lanka-like situation in Pakistan following 'rigged polls'
Slamming the 2024 nationwide general election once again, incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan has predicted Sri Lanka-like situation in the country as the nation’s hopes were shattered by "stealing the mandate". He added that the former ruling party would continue its peaceful protests against the rigging besides approaching the Supreme Court (SC). In another development today, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also arrived at Adiala Jail to meet the party founder. He detailed that the party would take a final decision regarding candidates for the upcoming polls in Senate which he also discussed with the PTI founder in which some of them have been ‘finalised’. The PTI chairman said that they believed in dialogues but his party lawmakers were not being given opportunity to speak on the floor of the parliament.
Source:The Nation
March 13, 2024 15:21 UTC
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Bollywood's film on JNU protests draws ire
Amidst the backdrop of controversy surrounding Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), filmmaker Vinay Sharma is gearing up to release his latest venture titled JNU: Jahangir National University. The reference to JNU, known for its history of controversies, added an extra layer of intrigue to the film's premise. On social media platform X, personalities including trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the film's poster, eliciting diverse reactions from users. Another Propaganda movie, another flop.. ignore it.. — भाई साहब (@Bhai_saheb) March 12, 2024I find it amusing how such movies come only before elections. https://t.co/MVWk8KC26L — Maqsood (@Maqsood_Scribe) March 12, 2024ContextThe controversy surrounding the movie gains added significance in light of the events at the actual JNU.
Source:The Express Tribune
March 13, 2024 12:28 UTC
Banks achieve 86% growth in profits
The banks have managed to achieve a record high profit despite economic slowdown and underperforming industrial activities in the country. “In calendar year 2023, the banking sector in the listed space witnessed significant profits (i.e., 86% year-on-year) driven mainly by policy rate hikes of 600 basis points coupled with volumetric growth in deposits (over 24% in 2023 compared to 2022),” she said. Government securities account for 51% of Pakistani banks’ total assets and around nine times their equity. AHL expert Tawfik further said that in 2023 the banking sector demonstrated an outstanding performance, achieving remarkable milestones that surpassed previous records. The government borrowed from banks for deficit financing, but the money continued to remain parked in banks, which inflated the deposit size.
Source:The Express Tribune
March 13, 2024 12:14 UTC
The dollar fell by 14 paise against the rupee in the open market
The dollar has depreciated against the rupee in the open market in the country. The State Bank of Pakistan had announced a public holiday in banks on the 1st of Ramadan today. Will not transact with. However, the price of the dollar has become cheaper by 14 paise in the open, after which the dollar is selling at 281 rupees 47 paise. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, the dollar closed at 279 rupees 8 paise yesterday in the interbank exchange.
Source:The Patriot
March 13, 2024 11:27 UTC
ICC Rankings: Babar’s reign among ODI batsmen, Williamson’s No. 1 in Tests
ICC has released Test, ODI and T20 player rankings. New Zealand’s Kane Williamson remains at the top of the Test player rankings, while England’s Joe Root also remains at the second position. Australia’s Steve Smith dropped two places to fifth place while India’s Rohit Sharma moved up five places to sixth place. ODI RankingsPakistan’s Babar Azam remains in the first position in the ICC ODI batsmen, while South Africa’s Cashew Maharaj is in the first position among the bowlers. Among T20 bowlers, England’s Adil Rashid is number one, while Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan is number one among T20 all-rounders.
Source:The Patriot
March 13, 2024 11:27 UTC
Plastic Bags
Plastic bags contribute to land degradation as plastic can transform fertile land into barren terrain. Furthermore, researchers have discovered that plastic bags can serve as a source of numerous deadly diseases, including cancer, birth defects, immune damage, and asthma. The government should conduct surveys to assess the extent of environmental and public health damage caused by plastic bags. Subsequently, measures should be implemented to raise awareness among the populace regarding the loss of fertile land for future generations and the health risks associated with the use of plastic bags. Moreover, legislation should be enacted to minimise the use of plastic bags to an essential minimum.
Source:The Nation
March 13, 2024 10:48 UTC
Center of Artificial Intelligence can uplift nation's economy: Ahsan
Center of Artificial Intelligence can uplift nation's economy: AhsanMinister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal says Center of Artificial Intelligence can uplift the nation's economy through product commercialization and digital exports for economic growth. He expressed these views during his visit to National Center of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) at National University of Science and Technology in Islamabad on Wednesday. During his visit, Ahsan Iqbal was given a comprehensive briefing on the progress achieved by NCAI and the other national centers. Chairman National Center of Artificial Intelligence, Professor Dr. Yasar Ayaz, gave an overview of the National Center of Emerging Technologies and focused on NCAI's pivotal role in shaping the nation's technological landscape. He also emphasized that National Center of Artificial Intelligence to reconvene the Task Force meeting and include AI experts from corporate sectors, both international and Pakistani AI top talent.
Source:The Nation
March 13, 2024 09:33 UTC
BioNxt Reports Successful Results From ODF Cladribine PK Study
Corsicana, TX (75110)TodayCloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..TonightA few showers this evening tapering to some drizzle overnight. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Source:The Nation
March 13, 2024 08:50 UTC