Pakistan suffered because ‘ladla’ was brought to power: Nawaz
In an apparent reference to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan, former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Thursday questioned why Pakistan was punished by imposing [establishment’s] ladla (darling) on them after his removal from power in 2017. “Your enmity was with Nawaz Sharif and you had put him in jail but why did you punish the people? قائد پاکستان مسلم لیگ ن محمد نواز شریف قوم سے خطاب کر رہے ہیں۔ https://t.co/rZdIIpX9Ip — PMLN (@pmln_org) December 14, 2023The PML-N leader asserted that the cases against him were baseless, attributing his exoneration to divine intervention. The former prime minister stated that the recent court decisions in his favour exposed the falsehoods behind the cases. The PML-N leader responded to critics accusing him of merely painting a rosy picture, asserting, "I substantiate it through Allah's grace and benevolence.
Source:The Express Tribune
December 14, 2023 16:55 UTC
FO asks Kabul to hand over DI Khan attack planners
The Foreign Office (FO) urged the Afghan government on Thursday to take ‘decisive action’ against the culprits of the Dera Ismail (DI) Khan terrorist attack, and hand them over to Pakistan. In a weekly media talk, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that her office acknowledges the Afghan government's stance to conduct an inquiry into the December 12 terrorist attack. Read US 'strongly condemns' terrorist attack in DI Khan“UNSC has called on states to collaborate with the Government of Pakistan and the concerned authorities,” Baloch informed. She added that the UNSC members have emphasised the necessity to hold the assailants, sponsors and facilitators of the DI Khan attack accountable. DI Khan attackOn December 12, at least 23 soldiers were killed when militants rammed an explosives-laden truck into a security forces post in Khyber-Paktunkhwa's Dera Ismail Khan district.
Source:The Express Tribune
December 14, 2023 16:32 UTC
Minister emphasizes pivotal role of research in societal impact
LAHORE - In a compelling address at the Lahore Garrison University’s two-day conference on Frontiers in Applied Biological Sciences on Wednesday, Caretaker Punjab Health Minister Professor Dr. Javed Akram emphasized the pivotal role of research in societal impact. He underscored the importance of collaboration between academia and industry, particularly in the vast field of biological sciences. Dr. Akram highlighted the urgency for Pakistan to focus on biotechnology, expressing concern over the absence of a single biotechnology plant in the country compared to China’s 3,000 facilities. Propelled by the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Dr. Akram revealed plans to establish biotechnology parks in Pakistan. Anticipating Pakistan becoming the world’s third-largest country in population within two decades, Dr. Akram emphasized the need for progress in gene editing and improving lab skills.
Source:The Nation
December 14, 2023 14:42 UTC
HISTORICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL CONTRADICTIONS OF INDIAN SUPREME COURT
Until the State Constituent Assembly met, the State Government’s power to grant “concurrence” was limited. But the first time the BJP under Modi took office, they included the repeal of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution in their electoral platform. Article 370(1) restricts the applicability of certain sections of the Indian Constitution to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The Court went on to state that after Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) joined the Union of India, it lost all internal sovereignty. 272 has lacks a proper constitutional basis for the concurrence upon which it is founded and as well admitted by Indian Supreme Court.
Source:The Patriot
December 14, 2023 13:54 UTC
The Unjust Verdict
Condemnations have flowed in over the Indian Supreme Court’s verdict on Indian-held Kashmir. One such unanimous condemnation and rejection of this verdict has also come from the legislative assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The verdict of India’s top court reinstating the abrogation of J&K’s special status as rightful and lawful has been received widely as a political verdict. In giving a verdict that has appealed to the ruling party, the court has left many questions unanswered and ambiguity still exists around what the status of J&K will be. AJK assembly by voicing its rejection unanimously has sent out a strong message for people divided and oppressed on the other side.
Source:The Nation
December 13, 2023 21:11 UTC
Diplomatic Dialogue
This visit underscores Pakistan’s centrality in regional security and defence cooperation, highlighting the significance of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The measured response from the State Department, emphasising support for political normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, aligns with diplomatic principles. This stance reflects a commitment to regional stability and a recognition of Pakistan’s role in addressing complex geopolitical challenges. The significance of Gen Munir’s visit is further highlighted by the positive history of engagements between Pakistani and US officials. The ongoing visit is an extension of these efforts, fostering a constructive dialogue that may lead to positive outcomes for both nations.
Source:The Nation
December 13, 2023 21:03 UTC
Businessmen seek 5,000 acres for industrial zone
Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has formally requested 5,000 acres of land for an industrial zone along the Rawalpindi Ring Road. The demand for this land was articulated through the issuance of a specialised form and a survey report gauging the business community's desire to establish industries in the Ring Road Industrial Zone. The envisaged industrial zone aims to relocate existing industrial units from Cantt and Islamabad to the Ring Road Industrial Zone. Originating at Banth on GT Road, the Rawalpindi Ring Road project spans 38.3 km with six interchanges. RCCI President Saqib Rafiq highlighted that the establishment of the Ring Road Industrial Zone will facilitate the relocation of industries from the inner city, subsequently alleviating traffic congestion.
Source:The Express Tribune
December 13, 2023 19:30 UTC
PM Kakar reiterates nation’s resolve to eliminate terrorism
PM Kakar reiterates nation’s resolve to eliminate terrorismCaretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has expressed resolve of the Pakistani nation to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country's soil. The Prime Minister said the entire Pakistani nation is standing like an iron wall against the monster of terrorism and with the help of Allah Almighty and it is determined to defeat terrorism. He said security personnel, who are fighting this war of victory against terrorism are the real heroes. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said righteous Ulema are standing with the state of Pakistan, the peace, and the society. The Prime Minister also commended the high morale of the security personnel, who got injured in the attack.
Source:The Nation
December 13, 2023 14:54 UTC
PSX plunges over 1,146 points amid profit-taking
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a sharp sell-off on Wednesday as investors cashed in on the gains made by the benchmark KSE-100 Index, which had reached an all-time high of 67,093 points earlier in the day. The index, however, could not sustain the momentum and fell to as low as 64,427.38 points, before closing at 65,280.16 points, down by 1146.62 points or 1.73%. However, some profit-taking and correction was inevitable after the rapid rise, as the market also faced some political uncertainty and external challenges. This was the second-highest monthly return in percentage terms in over a decade, only behind Covid’s abnormal return in April 2020. The surge in Pakistan’s stock market rally had been a pivotal factor in the 50% increase in the benchmark index since late June, making it the world’s second-best performer during this period, following Argentina.
Source:Pakistan Today
December 13, 2023 13:34 UTC
Body of ex-militant recovered from Assam-Manipur border in Cachar
Silchar, Dec 13: Cachar Police recovered the body of a person lying near the paddy field of Namdailang, about 1 km from Rongaijan village in Jirighat area under Lakhipur constituency, close to the Assam-Manipur interstate border in Cachar district. Inspector General of Police, Law and Order, PK Bhuiyan, while talking to The Assam Tribune, informed that the deceased person has been identified as Gaidinchungpow Rongmei, aged 56 years. As per preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the deceased person was an ex-cadre of the Naga National Council and is currently a cultivator and small businessman. During the preliminary enquiry it is learnt that he was having some financial disputes with people belonging to his own community. The IGP (L&O) informed that based on the information received from the Chairman of Namdailang village, the body of the deceased person was recovered by Cachar SP Numal Mahatta and his team amidst protests by women in the vicinity.
Source:The Express Tribune
December 13, 2023 12:01 UTC
Policy rate left unchanged
It was the fourth consecutive monetary policy in the past six months when the bank made no change in the policy rate, maintaining the tight policy partly due to high inflation. It avoided projection of average inflation reading for the current fiscal year in the monetary policy statement. Policy rate is a tool available with the central bank for controlling inflation, which is a must to achieve sustainable economic growth. The SBP cumulatively jacked up the policy rate by 15 percentage points in a period of 27 months to 22% in June 2023. Read PSX rebounds strongly on policy rate status quoThe latest monetary policy statement added that the State Bank decided to maintain the policy rate at 22%.
Source:The Express Tribune
December 13, 2023 10:28 UTC
On Pakistan Army’s Account of the Dera Ismail Khan Terrorist Attack
Firstly, if the terrorists had an explosive laden vehicle so handy, then why didn’t they use it for this attack in the first place? Secondly, since terrorists engage in ‘hit and run’ attacks, keeping an explosive laden vehicle as ‘backup’ doesn’t make sense. Damage AssessmentThe Express Tribune has posted a 1 min 45 sec long post-attack video of the building purportedly targeted by the explosive laden vehicle [https://tribune.com.pk/story/2449762/at-least-23-soldiers-martyred-in-di-khan-attack-ispr]. In this video a large cavity in the wall and blown out windows is visible which supports the claim of an explosive laden vehicle being used. This is not the first time the Pakistan army’s media wing has been economical with the truth.
Source:The Express Tribune
December 13, 2023 06:57 UTC
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Easton Cowan hoping to live out childhood dream with Canada’s world junior team
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Easton Cowan hoping to live out childhood dream with Canada’s world junior teamPhoto credit: Easton Cowan (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)
Source:The Nation
December 13, 2023 02:03 UTC
Bilawal wants SC to set record straight in ZAB reference
“This would bring confidence to people that even they can get justice from court,” he added. “Once justice is served, the party will fulfil Bhutto's mission of addressing the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter for the nation,” he added. Highlighting his political upbringing, Bilawal stated that he received no training in hatred, division, or mudslinging. Prior to his address, Bilawal spoke to the media outside the Supreme Court. He stated that the person accused of Bhutto's “murder” was alive and present in the court today.
Source:The Express Tribune
December 12, 2023 22:54 UTC
WHO protests after patient dies in rescue delay by Israeli troops
An ambulance blocked by Israeli military vehicles during a raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, December 12, 2023. We are deeply concerned about prolonged checks and detention of health workers that put lives of already fragile patients at risk. "We are deeply concerned about prolonged checks and detention of health workers that put lives of already fragile patients at risk," Tedros said. On the way out of the north, some patients and Red Crescent staff were instructed at an Israeli checkpoint to leave the ambulances. Health workers have been detained on previous missions to Gaza health facilities.
Source:The Express Tribune
December 12, 2023 22:36 UTC