‘Missing cypher’ comes to haunt PTI top leadership
Though the cypher issue did not entirely fade out, it resurfaced after a US publication recently published its contents. Read more: PTI chief ‘ready for 1,000 year jail if necessary’“The said Cypher Telegram (official Secret Document classified as such) is still in the illegal possession/retention of the accused Imran Khan,” it maintained. The FIR added that the “unauthorised retention and misuse of the Cypher Telegram by the accused persons compromised the entire cypher security system of the state and secret communication method of Pakistani missions abroad”. Dispelling notions that the PTI was facing internal strife, Qureshi stressed, "It is incorrect to label PTI as a party in turmoil." He asserted that there was no alternative to PTI Chairman Imran, emphasising that the party’s core committee was actively working in the challenging circumstances.
Source:The Express Tribune
August 20, 2023 16:43 UTC
Nation remembers Rashid Minhas for his heroic legacy, undying courage
LAHORE: The 52nd martyrdom anniversary of Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed, one the youngest recipients of Nishan-e-Haider, was observed on Sunday across the country. It said in the line of duty, Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas lived up to great traditions of Pakistan Armed Forces in defending the motherland. Meanwhile, Pakistan Air Force Directorate General Public Relations has released a short documentary to pay homage to youngest recipient of Nishan-e-Haider, Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Sunday also paid a rich tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed. In a tweet today, the premier said observing the 52nd anniversary of martyrdom of Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed (Nishan e Haider) today, we as a nation salute his undying courage.
Source:The Nation
August 20, 2023 13:44 UTC
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From 'Bin Roye' sequel to 'Razia': Mahira Khan tells all
Celebrated television and film star Mahira Khan recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to host Ask Mahira, a series where she interacts with her fans and answers their queries. Meanwhile.. go watch it 🙏🏼♥️ https://t.co/qzsq6pqyLF — Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) August 18, 2023"Why are you not doing dramas? When questioned about the one word that would best describe Razia, Mahira replied with "brave." But now.. we will have more ;) https://t.co/lPsU2TkEoB — Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) August 18, 2023Another X user wrote, "How’s Mahira the producer doing? Some a little more -you know who you are 😉☺️♥️ pic.twitter.com/VP8T4Q7NQ7 — Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) August 18, 2023Have anything to add?
Source:The Express Tribune
August 20, 2023 11:53 UTC
Next general elections to be held on time after completion of delimitation process: Chairman Senate
KARACHI-Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani on Saturday affirmed that next general elections would be conducted on time immediately after the completion of delimitation process on the basis of new census. While talking to media at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Chairman Senate said that PDM coalition government was consisted of almost all the political parties that had taken decisions in this regard. As soon as delimitation exercise is completed, the ECP would announce the date for next general election, he maintained reiterating that next general election would take place and on the right time as the ECP would conduct the elections and the nation should remain contented. On another query about Baluchistan, Sanjrani said that Baluchistan had a vast area and it required billions to carry out development work across the province. Sanjrani said that Baluchistan enjoys representation at every forum and elected representatives of the province were very vocal on issues of the province.
Source:The Nation
August 20, 2023 09:33 UTC
CPEC changing Punjab
Over the past decade, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is reshaping the development landscape of Punjab, the most populous and agriculturally rich province of Pakistan. Furthermore, the CPEC Unit of the Agriculture Department in Punjab has been entrusted with a crucial role as the primary resource center for both the Public and Private Sectors. By collaborating with China, Punjab is advancing its agricultural productivity and ensuring food security for the future. CPEC has prioritised several projects and initiatives in Punjab, ensuring the province’s active participation and substantial benefits from the corridor. Transport infrastructure development in Punjab under CPEC is significant.
Source:The Nation
August 20, 2023 08:29 UTC
The end of an odyssey
From 2018 to 2023, Pakistan underwent a tumultuous period marked by significant political, economic and environmental challenges. Placing Pakistan’s industrial policy in the broader South Asian context reveals a need for introspection and reform. Historically, Pakistan’s industrial output and contribution to GDP have trailed behind its neighbours, Bangladesh and India. The nation’s persistent and deepening current account deficits during 2013-2022, especially during PTI’s era, overshadow those of its neighbours. Pakistan’s trade strategies have not effectively boosted export competitiveness or curtailed import dependency.
Source:The Nation
August 20, 2023 07:03 UTC
Unveiling realities
The government’s decision to raise the prices of electricity, gas, and gasoline has stirred debates about its apparent merciless attitude. The central inquiry revolves around whether increasing electricity and gas rates is truly the only viable method to augment financial resources. However, a deeper examination uncovers a multifaceted scenario where a confluence of factors plays a role. Data presented in the National Assembly indicates that a staggering five hundred billion rupees worth of electricity was stolen within a mere 15 months. Moreover, a significant portion of public taxes is channelled into providing free electricity, gas, and gasoline to influential segments of the population.
Source:The Nation
August 19, 2023 22:12 UTC
US approves transfer of Dutch, Danish F-16s to Ukraine
In Russia, the authorities shut down respected rights group the Sakharov Center and announced fresh international sanctions against its critics abroad. And earlier Friday Russian forces destroyed Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow and its Black Sea Fleet. In Washington, a US State Department official said Denmark and the Netherlands had been given “formal assurances” for the jet transfer. The authorities shut down prominent rights group the Sakharov Center, saying it had illegally hosted conferences and exhibitions. Also Friday, a Russian court placed the co-chair of independent election monitoring group Golos in pre-trial detention until at least October 17.
Source:Pakistan Today
August 19, 2023 20:16 UTC
KP’s new interim cabinet takes oath
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ghulam Ali on Saturday administered oath to members of newly appointed caretaker cabinet, comprising nine ministers and two advisers and a special assistant. It was attended by KP caretaker Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan and others. On Aug 10, 20 ministers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) caretaker cabinet tendered their resignations following the directives of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The election commission had directed the ministers to submit their resignations after disclosure of their political affiliations with different parties. On July 31, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had asked the caretaker Chief Minister (CM) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to remove ministers who are involved in politics.
Source:The Nation
August 19, 2023 20:15 UTC
PK, Naidu making baseless allegations: Botsa
(Image Source: DC File Image)Visakhapatnam: Education minister Botsa Satyanarayana charged TD president N. Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan with making baseless allegations against the YSRC government. Addressing a press conference in Visakhapatnam YSRC office on Saturday, he accused Chandrababu Naidu of blaming the YSRC government for his complete failure as chief minister in his previous term. "Naidu mortgaged the Special Category Status (SCS) and got a special package from union finance minister, calling it a great achievement. He is now blaming the YSRC government for failing to get the SCS," Botsa pointed out. The minister said the onus is on Chandrababu Naidu to prove that there had been no hunger deaths or suicides by farmers during his rule.
Source:The Nation
August 19, 2023 18:58 UTC
Caretaker Sindh cabinet sworn in at Governor House
Governor Sindh Kamran Tesori is administering the oath of office to the 10-member caretaker cabinet on Saturday, August 19, 2023. SCREENGRABIn a significant step towards transitional governance, the swearing-in ceremony of the caretaker Sindh cabinet took place at the historic Governor's House in Karachi on Saturday. Governor Sindh Kamran Tesori administered the oath of office to the 10-member caretaker cabinet. The caretaker cabinet is expected to oversee the governance of the province during the period leading up to the next general elections. Following the oath-taking, both Governor Sindh Kamran Tesori and Caretaker Chief Minister Maqbool Baqar extended their warm congratulations to the newly inducted cabinet members.
Source:The Express Tribune
August 19, 2023 16:40 UTC
People in need of humanitarian aid worldwide surge to over 363m
Afghanistan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo , Sudan, Yemen, Pakistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Syria, and South Sudan were listed as the top 10 countries in need of humanitarian aid. Afghanistan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Yemen, Pakistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Syria, and South Sudan were listed as the top 10 countries in need of humanitarian aid. Due to the civil war that has been going on in Syria since March 2011, the number of people in need of humanitarian aid remains high. Outside these countries, 152.3 million more people needed humanitarian aid. Nearly 9,000 tons of humanitarian aid was delivered to Pakistan on 15 planes, 13 kindness trains, and two "kindness ships."
Source:The Express Tribune
August 19, 2023 16:30 UTC
Rupee dips, hits 3-month low
Now, the rupee is just around Rs3 away from the record low of Rs299/$. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)’s data, the currency depreciated 0.29%, or Rs0.86, to Rs295.78 against the greenback. Otherwise, an improvement in the country’s foreign currency reserves on a week-on-week basis and a drop in oil prices in the world market would have lent support to the rupee. The foreign exchange reserves, held by the SBP, slightly improved by $12 million to $8.05 billion in the week ended on August 11, 2023. The central bank kept REER around 95-96 in the past when the reserves provided three months of import cover in mid-2022 compared to the two-month import cover now.
Source:The Express Tribune
August 19, 2023 11:52 UTC
Violence — a run-up to Lok Sabha polls
The communal riots in mid-2018 and the Pulwama attack in February 2019 appeared to be a game changer for the BJP. Nuh district administration already predicted communal violence at Mewat. The administration still allowed the Yatra to pass through Mewat, resulting in full-scale communal violence and dozens of fatalities. Gurugram, in proximity to Nuh, fell next prey to fires of communal violence ignited in Nuh. These poorly contained communal incidents draw attention to the state’s intentional negligence and silent complicity in exacerbating the problem.
Source:The Express Tribune
August 19, 2023 11:21 UTC
Step towards a better Pakistan
But do we genuinely love our country, or is this day just a festival to be celebrated? We all know that our country is in a fragile state right now, but who is responsible for this? If the system is not working right, we are not doing things right because we are part of it. Why can’t we turn a new leaf in our country to change it for the better? This Independence Day, let us make a commitment to relinquish one of our negative habits for the advancement of our nation.
Source:The Nation
August 18, 2023 20:06 UTC