Accountability & Judiciary
Accountability goes hand in hand with democracy and serves to strengthen democratic norms by deterring corruption through checks and balances. Islamabad High Court’s restoration of disqualification to ten years for people convicted under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) is a good step in upholding the accountability regime. Earlier, in a case, the disqualification period was reduced to five years which was in contrast with the NAB’s regulations. The restoration of the ten-year disqualification period emphasises the court’s commitment to upholding the integrity of anti-corruption measures. This legal development underscores the judiciary’s role in maintaining the efficacy of accountability laws and indirectly boosting people’s trust in the electoral process.
Source:The Nation
January 05, 2024 15:30 UTC
Over 200 children welcomed to Eagles, Auxiliary Christmas party
Weather Alert...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM EST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch and ice accumulations from a light glaze to one tenth of an inch. * WHERE...McDowell, Wyoming, Northwest Raleigh and Northwest Fayette Counties. * WHEN...From 1 AM to 1 PM EST Saturday. Additional information can be found at https://www.weather.gov/rlx as well as on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 05, 2024 14:18 UTC
Step Forward
For the last two weeks, I unfortunately had to closely interact with the health care system in Lahore from one private hospital to another. But sadly, the privileged minority is also quite frustrated with the accessibility to good standards especially when they come with such a heavy price. When the patient was discharged, we were billed for consultation fees of the main consultant for visits he had not even made to the patient. The nightmare continued as she was shifted to another hospital where in all fairness if the hospital conditions were relatively better, we had to be involved at every step of the surgery or involvement. We can’t keep looking towards others to lead but have to take that first step ourselves.
Source:The Nation
January 05, 2024 11:04 UTC
P K Mishra: Need for Effective Public Policy to Make India a Developed Nation
P K Mishra: Need effective public policy to make India developed nationIndia's growth story is at a structurally higher path, but it faces domestic and international challenges. To become a developed nation by 2047, India needs a transparent, accountable, and effective public policy. The principal secretary to the prime minister also participated in Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. Viksit Bharat Sankalp yatra endsThe Viksit Bharat Sankalp yatra concluded in Prayagraj with the aim of informing people about the BJP-led Union government's welfare schemes. “The reforms and initiatives of government of India in the last nine years have set the base for making India a developed nation by 2047.
Source:The Nation
January 05, 2024 09:57 UTC
P K Mishra: Need effective public policy to make India developed nation
NEW DLHI: PK Mishra , principal secretary to PM Narendra Modi, on Thursday said India is at an inflection point due to the initiatives taken by government over the last few years.“Among economies and among rating agencies there is a feeling that the Indian growth story is at a structurally higher path. However, on this journey we will face a number of challenges both domestic and international.India has many strengths and opportunities that can help it overcome these challenges and achieve its vision,” Mishra said in his Convocation address at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research in Mumbai.He said that for India to become a developed nation, the country needs a sound public policy that is transparent, accountable and ef fective. “The reforms and initiatives of government of India in the last nine years have set the base for making India a developed nation by 2047. They have created conditions for faster and more inclusive growth, better governance and enhanced social welfare,” he said.Articulating the PM’s approach to economic development, Mishra said India needs to continuously innovate and reinvent to remain competitive and grow in this fast-changing world.He called upon researchers to help policymakers assess the needs and preferences of citizens, evaluate the impact of interventions and design policies that responsive, inclusive and sustainable.While in Mumbai, the principal secretary to prime minister also participated in Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, where nearly 1,500 people participated.
Source:The Nation
January 05, 2024 01:02 UTC
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's 'Star Wars' faces backlash
In an exciting development for Star Wars fans, Daisy Ridley's iconic character Rey is set to grace the big screen once again in a new installment of the beloved franchise. The forthcoming film will be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy who charmed everyone with Ms Marvel, marking a historic moment as Sharmeen becomes the first woman and first person of colour to helm a Star Wars feature film. While female directors have made their mark in Star Wars television projects, the film domain had yet to embrace their talent until now. Details surrounding Ridley's return to the Star Wars’ universe are relatively scarce, but it is known that the storyline will pick up with Rey in the aftermath of the events depicted in 2019's The Rise of Skywalker. Here’s the feminist director of the next Star Wars film saying that her goal is to “make men uncomfortable.”This movie is destined to be Disney’s biggest flop yet.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 04, 2024 21:42 UTC
Pakistan — an Israel without America
Many people like to draw parallels between the states of Pakistan and Israel. They view many similarities such as both the states being created for people belonging to a certain faith: Israel for Jews and Pakistan for Muslims. And just like Israel, Pakistan would soon find itself to be surrounded by all states that might want to do some harm to this country. Unlike Israel though, Pakistan does not have America on its side. And China is never assertive and protective of Pakistan like America is of Israel.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 04, 2024 14:08 UTC
FBR has arrested a factory owner for tax evasion of crores of rupees
HYDERABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has arrested the owner of a battery factory from Karachi for tax evasion of crores of rupees. According to Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax Office Hyderabad, the owner of a battery manufacturing company involved in tax evasion of more than 600 million rupees was arrested from Karachi and presented in the court of Special Judge Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Karachi. The court handed over the accused to FBR on a 7-day remand, it is feared that the accused is involved in fraud of double amount, investigation is going on in this regard. The Chief Commissioner told Geo News that the private company was involved in sales tax fraud activities, the company was evading taxes by using fake and flying invoices.
Source:The Patriot
January 04, 2024 13:49 UTC
On the second day of the Sydney Test, the wicket was covered with covers due to rain
Chasing 313 runs by Pakistan in the Sydney Test, Australia’s batting continues in the first innings and the game has been stopped due to rain. Went and the wicket was covered with covers. But on a total of 190, Rizwan got out after playing an innings of 88 runs. Sajid Khan was dismissed for 15 runs while Salman Ali Agha completed the sixth half-century of his Test career he was caught off Mitchell Starc for 53 runs while Hasan Ali was dismissed for no runs. For Australia, Pat Cummins dismissed 5 players while Mitchell Starc got two wickets, one each was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, and Nathan Lyon.
Source:The Patriot
January 04, 2024 12:19 UTC
COAS assures support to initiatives aimed at economic recovery
The apex committee showed satisfaction on overall progress achieved in the key sectors under SIFC. PHOTO: APPChief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Wednesday assured the unwavering resolve of the Pakistan Army to support the government’s initiatives aimed at the economic recovery of the country. Read more: SIFC key to economic stability, says IT ministerThe committee discussed various projects and initiatives being pursued through the platform of SIFC. The prime minister directed all the stakeholders to vigorously pursue various SIFC initiatives to ensure their accomplishment within the stipulated timeframe. The committee showed satisfaction with the overall progress achieved in the key sectors under SIFC.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 04, 2024 10:30 UTC
Over 82pc terrorism-related deaths in Pakistan in 2023 caused by TTP, IS-K and BLA
These three groups carried out over 78 percent of the total terrorist attacks recorded in the country in the year under review. The report also noted that for the third year in a row, the number of terrorist attacks and consequent casualties posted an upsurge in 2023. This upsurge in terrorist violence in Pakistan also coincided with the Taliban’s rise to power in neighbouring Afghanistan. As many as 15 terrorist attacks took place in Sindh province including 14 attacks in Karachi alone and one attack in Jamshoro in interior Sindh. Six terrorist attacks took place in Punjab in 2023, which claimed 16 lives and injured eight others.
Source:The Nation
January 04, 2024 04:42 UTC
Pakistan condemns ‘dastardly’ terrorist attack in Iran
Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned a dastardly terrorist attack that took place in the martyrs’ cemetery of the provincial capital of Kerman in Iran, resulting in large number of deaths and injuries. Also read: Pakistan condemns terrorist attack at Iranian police headquarters"This disaster will have a harsh response, God willing." “Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the government and brotherly people of Iran in this hour of grief and tragedy,” Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press statement. Deeply saddened to learn about the huge loss of lives in terrorist attacks in Kerman. Pakistan condemns this heinous act and stands in solidarity with Iran.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 03, 2024 22:50 UTC
TTP’s Influx
After the US troops left Afghanistan, TTP found a considerable liveable space inside the country. Now it keeps sabotaging the border fence and recruits mostly from the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The influx of TTP members is a cause of concern and requires more robust measures in the bordering areas. In an effort to stop illegal movements across the border, Pakistan has adopted a one-visa policy and cancelled all other temporary visit documents. A robust strategy must be put together to stop such dangerous illegal movements and a bigger strategy to respond to the TTP threat
Source:The Nation
January 03, 2024 20:23 UTC
Gold has become cheaper by hundreds of rupees in the country
The price of gold per tola in the country has decreased by 1300 rupees. According to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewelers Association, after a decrease of 1,300 rupees, the price of gold per tola in the country is 2,20,000 rupees. The price of 10 grams of gold has decreased by 1 thousand 115 rupees to 1 lakh 88 thousand 614 rupees. According to the association, the price of gold per ounce in the world market has decreased by 12 dollars to 2 thousand 62 dollars, while in Pakistan this price is 2 thousand 82 dollars by adding a premium of 20 dollars.
Source:The Patriot
January 03, 2024 18:24 UTC
JI gathering addresses nation’s state and upcoming elections
The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) gathered on Wednesday under the leadership of JI Emir Sirajul Haq to address the nation’s current situation and discuss the upcoming elections. This high-level meeting aimed to focus on issues pertinent to the approaching electoral process. During the session, the JI spokesperson shared, “The JI is gearing up to contest elections in 535 provincial constituencies, anticipating enthusiastic participation from the masses in the electoral process scheduled for February 8.”Furthermore, the JI expressed its commitment to participating in elections for 231 constituencies of the National Assembly. In a statement on Monday, Haq urged the public to cast their votes for the party in the forthcoming elections set for February 8. Speaking at a public gathering in Lower Dir, Haq emphasized, “Those fostering uncertainty about the elections are in violation of the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s (SCP) order.” He underscored the golden opportunity for the nation to embrace the democratic process in the New Year.
Source:The Nation
January 03, 2024 15:27 UTC