Afghan Taliban want Pakistan to ‘bear cost’ of disarming TTP
The Afghan Taliban have expressed their willingness to disarm the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and relocate its members from the Pak-Afghan border but with a condition that Islamabad will bear the cost of the proposed plan. However, the Afghan government asked Pakistan to fund the proposal and bear the cost of rehabilitation of the TTP. Nevertheless, it was for the first time that the Afghan Taliban came up with the idea to disarm the TTP. Earlier, the interim Afghan government encouraged Pakistan to negotiate a peace deal with the TTP, something that backfired. "We have to accept unwillingly the strict conditions of the IMF deal," he said, adding that an accord was still a "week, 10 days" away.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 25, 2023 06:04 UTC
Foreign currency reserves rise to 4-week high
Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves are expected to have bottomed out at a nine-year low below $3 billion a couple of weeks ago. Talking to The Express Tribune, Pak-Kuwait Investment Company Head of Research Samiullah Tariq said, “The foreign exchange reserves have bottomed out.”Recalling that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said the country would receive $700 million from China this week, he said that “the reserves are expected to gradually rise from here onwards”. “Surplus supply of US dollars in the inter-bank market has prompted the central bank to intervene (buy the surplus),” a source said. Earlier, a better exchange rate in the black market encouraged some traders and non-resident Pakistanis to receive and send funds through the illegal Hawala-Hundi operators. Earlier, the black market was offering the exchange rate of Rs250-270/$, it was learnt.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 25, 2023 02:25 UTC
PM slams PTI for skipping apex committee meeting
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has slammed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for skipping an apex committee meeting held to discuss the recent upsurge in terrorist incidents across the country. Although the prime minister did not take name of any political party, he was referring to the PTI which kicked off a ‘court arrests’ movement earlier this week against the coalition government. “If we want to make Pakistan an economic tiger then we must rise above personal likes and dislikes,” he added. The prime minister said during an attack on the Karachi police office last week, the personnel of Sindh police, Rangers and Pakistan Army bravely fought the terrorists. The premier also hailed law enforcement agencies and Pakistan Army for rendering sacrifices to eliminate terrorism from the country.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 25, 2023 02:20 UTC
A lifesaver for Pakistan
Share:In the last three months since I joined UNFPA Pakistan, I have met several senior officials across the country, the latest being a very inspiring meeting with H. E, the President of the Islamic State of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi. Pakistan is the world’s 5th most populous country and is projected to be the fourth most populous nation in the world by 2030. The availability of family planning services saves lives and makes children and families healthier, and society at large benefits. Pakistan is producing too many children too fast, amongst unintended and by chance, not by choice. It is time to ignore the controversy over family planning and cut out-of-control unintended and unplanned pregnancies to save the nation.
Source:The Nation
February 25, 2023 01:29 UTC
Hot, dry weather forecast for Sindh
Share:KARACHI - Pakistan Meteorological Department on Friday predicted hot and dry weather in most parts of the Sindh province during the next 24 hours. The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in Karachi 16-18 degrees Centigrade, Hyderabad 16-18 degrees Centigrade, Sukkur 16-18 degrees Centigrade, Thatta 17-19 degrees Centigrade, Mohenjodaro 14-16 degrees Centigrade, Dadu 14-16 degrees Centigrade, Mitthi 15-17 degrees Centigrade, and in Nawabshah 15-18 degrees Centigrade. Mainly, hot and dry weather is likely to prevail in the province.
Source:The Nation
February 24, 2023 22:31 UTC
PM expresses gratitude to ‘friendly nation’ for assistance before IMF deal finalised
ISLAMABAD, FEB 24: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed gratitude to a “friendly nation” for providing assistance to Pakistan before the finalisation of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a loan programme. The prime minister made the comments while addressing an apex committee meeting in Islamabad regarding the National Action Plan (NAP) and National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta). The meeting comes as terrorism in Pakistan has been rearing its head again. He said today’s meeting was regarding the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta), adding that it had become a “dormant institution”. The prime minister said that negotiations with the International Monetary Fund would soon be successful but economic difficulty would still persist in the form of stringent conditions by the Fund.
Source:The Nation
February 24, 2023 20:49 UTC
Grateful to ‘friendly nation’ for assistance before IMF deal: PM
The prime minister added that the IMF deal would be finalised in a week to 10 days. The prime minister said that negotiations with the IMF would soon be successful but economic difficulty would still persist in the form of “very stringent” conditions by the Fund. Pakistan held 10 days of intensive talks with an IMF delegation in Islamabad — from Jan 31 to Feb 9 — but could not reach a deal. However, the bulk of tax measures worth Rs115 billion was already implemented from Feb 14 through statutory regulatory orders. A well-placed source had earlier informed that Pakistan and IMF will sign the staff-level agreement on Feb 28.
Source:The Nation
February 24, 2023 18:56 UTC
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‘Defining moment’: Imran seeks judiciary’s help for early polls
His statement came shortly after PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz accused a "cabal of five" of being behind the ongoing political and economic crises in Pakistan. The group allegedly includes sitting and former Supreme Court judges and the former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief, General (retd) Faiz Hameed. In his address, Imran accused the PML-N of having a history of attacking and buying the loyalties of judges. Imran reminded the judiciary that the Constitution is clear about holding elections within 90 days following the dissolution of the assembly. He maintained that the "court arrest" movement was against the economic meltdown and the incumbent government's attempts to delay polls.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 24, 2023 06:01 UTC
Divisional Level Inter- Collegiate Sports Championship begins
Share:LAHORE - After the completion of district level sports events, the Divisional Level Inter-Collegiate Sports Championship 2023 commenced across the province under the banner of Sports Board Punjab (SBP) and Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab. Sangla Hill Graduate College beat Islamia College Civil Lines by 58-56 in the first semifinal of kabaddi event at Islamia College Railway Road on Wednesday. HED Punjab Secretary Javed Akhtar Mahmood and DG SBP Tariq Qureshi were the guests of honour on this occasion. They also planted saplings on this occasion. Secretary HED Punjab Javed Akhtar Mahmood said that the winning team of kabaddi event will be awarded Rs 150,000, runner-up team Rs 130,000 and third position holder Rs 110,000 followed by a cash prize of Rs 50,000 for fourth position holder
Source:The Nation
February 24, 2023 04:44 UTC
'Jail Bharo' drive hits snags in KP
Share:The fervently promoted "Jail Bharo" movement by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has failed to register a significant impact on the incumbent government, owing to the lackadaisical attitude of PTI workers, resulting in no voluntary surrenders. Amidst the ongoing court arrest drive, the PTI leadership orchestrated spirited rallies and public gatherings in Peshawar and Malakand on the second day, vehemently protesting against the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) led government's alleged political victimisation. On the other hand, the KP police reached PTI stalwarts’ residences who announced to present themselves for “Jail Bharo” drive including former CM Mahmood Khan’s house kept announcing through loudspeakers that they should surrender but no one turned up. SP Abdul Salam Khalid said that PTI workers were doing photo sessions around police vans but no one presented themselves for a court arrest drive. “If anyone gives voluntary arrest, they will be arrested, section 144, and FIR will be registered for blocking the road,” added SP Khalid.
Source:The Nation
February 24, 2023 04:42 UTC
Maryam seeks to resurrect old narrative
Among them were Justice Mazahir Naqvi, Justice Ijazul Hassan, [former chief justice] Saqib Nisar and [justice (retd)] Azmat Saeed,” she said, mentioning the five names. When a common man is aware of the “bench fixing”, she asked, why did Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial not know. It seems that it is now Pervez Elahi’s turn to change his nappies,” the PML-N chief organiser added. “The person, who removed air-conditioner from the jail cell where Nawaz Sharif was lodged, is in hiding. But at that time, Nawaz Sharif did not use workers as shield,” she added.
Source:The Express Tribune
February 24, 2023 04:08 UTC
Lakki Marwat operation results in death of six TTP militants
PESHAWAR: Six suspected militants affiliated with the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in a joint operation by the counter-terrorism department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Lakki Marwat police on Thursday. The operation was carried out in the jurisdiction of the Dadiwala police station, according to a statement released by a spokesperson of Lakki Marwat police, Shahid Hameed. The latest attack is yet another example of the worsening law and order situation in Pakistan, particularly in KP and Balochistan. The TTP has intensified its attacks, particularly targeting the police in KP and bordering areas of Afghanistan, since the talks broke down in November. This deteriorating security situation was highlighted last month when a powerful suicide blast in a mosque in Peshawar Police Lines killed 84 people and injured many others.
Source:Pakistan Today
February 23, 2023 18:05 UTC
Character assassination
After that, I desire to talk about a trending issue of today through the columns of your esteemed newspaper. To begin with, in the recent few days, I was commemorating that different people are using various sources to show others’ character according to their will. Using audio, video, and cyber-bullying people are pressuring others for childish reasons. It’s a point to understand that character assassination and bullying a person is the worst form of sin. I hope you will publish this letter in your esteemed newspaper so people can know about such a sensitive topic.
Source:The Nation
February 23, 2023 17:41 UTC
Imran Khan blasts PM’s austerity measures, says IMF deal to spiral up inflation
LAHORE – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan hit out at the austerity measures announced earlier in the day by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying such moves would bring no respite for common man facing skyrocketing inflation. He said Shehbaz Sharif was seeking sacrifices from public but the “cabal of crooks” was not ready to bring back he billions stashed in the foreign countries. He admired the people of Lahore and the PTI senior leadership for actively participating in the court arrest drive. He reiterated his allegations against the PDM leaders, saying Shehbaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari along with foreign powers hatched a plan to topple his democratic government. He also urged people to come out if the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were not held within 90 days.
Source:The Nation
February 22, 2023 15:18 UTC
What’s Next for the Blackhawks’ Center Group Without Jonathan Toews?
The Blackhawks’ collection of centers and could-be centers has been a point of a lot of conversation here this season. On paper, it certainly felt like the Blackhawks were taking a significant step backwards down the middle. Over the full season, Blackhawks centers not-named-Toews have won 51.9 percent of their faceoffs. That’s how you win hockey games and how you get better as a group.”How you get better as a group… that’s been a hallmark of the Blackhawks’ centers all season. But that’s a microcosm of the silver linings all over this Blackhawks’ roster.
Source:The Nation
February 22, 2023 03:51 UTC