It’s time for FATF to question India
Unfortunately, the international financial watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), never confronted India on the breach of international norms. The RSS-affiliated organisation, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), formed in 1964, has been involved in organising and communicating the RSS message to Hindus living outside India. The report established the links of Sangh Parivar with charity outfits in the US and the UK as major sources of funding for Sangh activities in India. This November, the FATF is due in India to review its performance against terror financing and money laundering. It is time for the international community to see through the democratic veneer India has been donning to fulfil its Hindutva agenda.
Source:The Express Tribune
November 10, 2023 03:08 UTC
Eradicate Congo Virus
It is unfortunate that a second outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus has hit Congo even before an earlier outbreak in the eastern region ended. The full name of the virus is Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Balochistan has issued a Congo virus red alert after a doctor died. Hospitals are on high alert for the rapid spread of this dangerous Congo virus in Quetta city. Precautions need to be taken; nine Congo virus patients have been shifted to Karachi from Quetta, and many have died.
Source:The Nation
November 10, 2023 02:23 UTC
Hold Israel to account for atrocities in Gaza: Interim PM Kakar
Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar reiteriated on Thursday the need to hold Israel accountable for its atrocities in the besieged Gaza enclave. Addressing the ECO summit, Kakar emphasized that Israel's actions in Gaza call for international condemnation. Kakar decried the bombing of hospitals and killing of innocent civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip. With regards to the ECO summit, Kakar was of the view that it was important to realize the goals and objectives of the organization. Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar met with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the ECO summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Source:The Express Tribune
November 09, 2023 22:30 UTC
Land dispute claims two lives
HYDERABAD-Two people were killed in a firing incident in the limits of the Paban Police station here on Thursday. According to details, the firing incident happened over a land dispute between two groups when Members of both groups opened fire at each other, killing Rashid Ali s/o Abdullah and Gul Muhammad on the spot. The police rushed to the site and shifted the bodies to Civil Hospital for post mortem
Source:The Nation
November 09, 2023 21:45 UTC
Armed forces fighting terrorism
For the armed forces, continuous and high casualties pose operational challenges and strain their ability to counter terrorist threats effectively. Regrettably, in Pakistan, there exists a prevalent perception that the sole responsibility for countering terrorism rests upon the shoulders of the armed forces. Adding to this issue, the armed forces, weary of relentless political disputes and unwarranted attempts by various political factions to co-opt their support, have come to believe that political forces may not possess the requisite competence to handle sensitive or critical responsibilities. This predicament has inadvertently pushed the armed forces into domains such as politics, internal law and order, and even diplomatic matters. The pressing challenge lies not only in addressing the shared threat of terrorism but also in minimizing the tragic casualties suffered by our dedicated armed forces.
Source:The Nation
November 09, 2023 21:45 UTC
Čukarički 0-1 Fiorentina: Highlights and recap
Pre-matchAs we suspected, Igor Matić went to a 3-5-2 system, leaving out leading scorer Igor Miladinović again. Vincenzo Italiano handed young Nicolò Pierozzi his first senior start, with Maxime Lopez, Jonathan Ikoné, and Riccardo Sottil all getting the nod as well. They were joined by 500 Fiorentina fans who made the trip to Belgrade. First halfIt went about as expected, honestly, although the absurdly slick pitch—which has apparently been a problem all season—led to a lot of slips, trips, and falls. The Angolan maintained his excellent record from the spot (11 of 12 in his professional career) and buried the penalty.
Source:The Nation
November 09, 2023 20:03 UTC
Stars hit red carpet for Women of the Year Award
LONDON- It was a night of glitz and glamour as stars from the world of entertainment hit the red carpet for the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards. The luxury fashion magazine’s annual celebration of female achievement recognises women from across the worlds of film, music and art. Jenna Ortega, star of Netflix’s Wednesday and Scream, was named Breakthrough Artist of the Year. England World Cup hero Alessia Russo took home the sportsperson award. Watching on in the grand ballroom of Claridge’s Hotel in London was actress Olivia Colman.
Source:The Nation
November 09, 2023 18:14 UTC
IMF seeks briefing on SIFC’s role
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sought a briefing from the Finance ministry on the Special Investment Facility Council (SIFC). Sources said that technical level discussions are being continued between Pakistan and the IMF staff mission. In addition, the Finance ministry also shared proposals to bridge the external finance gap with the IMF team. Sources said that the IMF team and finance ministry during the technical level negotiations also reviewed government guarantees, Central Bank Loans and External Payments. It was revealed that the burden of government guarantees was also reduced to Rs 3.85 trillion from Rs 4.048 trillion.
Source:Pakistan Today
November 09, 2023 14:04 UTC
Pakistan vows to stop wasteful expenses
The Ministry of Planning briefed the IMF about the action plan and the steps taken so far. This year’s technical mission report has identified loopholes in Pakistan’s public investment management and recommended the measures needed to strengthen it. However, other selection criteria to guide the allocation of limited budget resources for PSDP projects are not in place. The IMF report has identified many loopholes in implementation and monitoring systems and recommended improvement in ex-post evaluation and for more active portfolio oversight. Some mechanisms are in place to ensure alignment between strategic plans, national goals and investment projects that can help achieve them.
Source:The Express Tribune
November 09, 2023 11:15 UTC
Literature, language, thinking
Hence, I believe we should be careful with foreign organisations like Oxford AQA, which are also instruments of keeping the UK and the English language up, even now three-quarters of a century after Pakistan’s independence. This year’s literature festival used Urdu much more than at earlier festivals when English was more frequently used. This year’s Nobel Laureate in Literature, Jon Fosse (64), is a Norwegian, which I am proud of mentioning. During that time, the Danish language had become the only official, written language. My point here is to say that New Norwegian is good enough even to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Source:The Nation
November 09, 2023 05:08 UTC
Bilawal sees ‘some PTI leaders’ in election race
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that at least some leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will still be able to participate in the forthcoming elections. “It will be the first time that a jiyala would be a prime minister, [Sindh] chief minister, and [Karachi] mayor,” he added. Bilawal said that his party would change the fortunes of Karachi, as well as the province if elected during the polls. To a question about a level-playing field, Bilawal said that PPP has never been provided one in the past as well. Despite facing opposition and conspiracies, the PPP remains determined to compete vigorously in the political field, she proclaimed.
Source:The Express Tribune
November 09, 2023 04:41 UTC
President, PM urge nation to follow Iqbal’s teachings to make country prosperous
President, PM urge nation to follow Iqbal’s teachings to make country prosperousPresident Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar have paid rich tribute to Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal on his 146th birth anniversary. He said in order to make Pakistan a prosperous nation, we need to follow Allama Iqbal’s teachings on Islam and his philosophy of “Khudi” that believes in the promotion of self-respect and human dignity. The Prime Minister said Iqbal's philosophy of Khudi is a unique transformation for humanity to achieve success in this world and hereafter. The Prime Minister urged the youth to play a key role in the service and development of the country with positive and progressive thinking as envisioned by Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi has said Allama Iqbal's philosophy and thought is a beacon of light for the humanity.
Source:The Nation
November 09, 2023 03:10 UTC
Nation observes birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal today
Nation observes birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal todayThe 146th birth anniversary of national poet, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal is being observed with national fervor on Thursday. The Philosopher poet known as Poet of the East, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal was born in Sialkot on November 9,1877. Radio Pakistan and TV channels are presenting special programmes in connection with Iqbal Day to highlight poetry and thoughts of Allama Iqbal. A smartly turned contingent of Pakistan Navy assumed the responsibility of guards at the mausoleum. Station Commander Lahore of Pakistan Navy Commodore Sajid Hussain was chief guest on this occasion.
Source:The Nation
November 09, 2023 03:01 UTC
Smog Alert
Smog has become a recurring problem in these regions, causing adverse health effects and environmental consequences. Smog is not merely an inconvenience; it poses significant risks to public health, particularly for children and the elderly, who are the most vulnerable to smog-related health problems. The primary contributors to the smog issue in Punjab are the burning of crop residue by farmers and emissions from substandard diesel. The government’s decision to suspend school and office operations, along with the request for citizens to use facemasks and limit outdoor activities, demonstrates a genuine effort to combat smog. While it is impossible to eliminate smog entirely, stringent measures and responsible behaviour can help control it.
Source:The Nation
November 09, 2023 02:04 UTC
Deportation of illegal immigrants state policy: SHC
A division bench of the high court comprised of Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto and Justice Amjad Ali Sehto while hearing plea said that deportation of illegal immigrants is a state policy, and the court could not intervene in it. The bench sought arguments on maintainability of the petition, “How petitioner has been affected by this decision of the government,” Justice Phulpoto questioned. “We could not intervene in the state policy,” Justice Phulpoto remarked. “If any Pakistani could stay in Saudi Arabia or any other country after expiry of visa,” bench questioned. Pakistan’s law only protects its nationals,” Justice Phulpoto remarked.
Source:The Nation
November 08, 2023 22:10 UTC