PM Shehbaz Sharif says approaching friendly nations for more loans ‘embarrassd’ him
LAHORE – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited friendly countries seeking foreign funds and loans as the sword of default is hanging over Pakistan. During his recent address during the passing out ceremony of probationary officers of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), the premier said approaching friendly nations for more loans and payments 'embarrassed' him. Sharif said tapping friendly nations is not the right solution to deal with current economic challenges and stressed on achievement of sustainable development goals to put the economy on right track. Following PM’s visit, UAE agreed to roll over $2 billion and also approved providing $1 billion in loans while Islambad and Riyadh inked an agreement to finance oil derivatives worth $1 billion. PM made back-to-back visits to friendly nations and approached the global lenders as country’s central bank forex reserves nosedived to $4.3 billion, badly affecting financing imports.
Source:The Nation
January 15, 2023 07:33 UTC
Terrorists’ conspiracies against nation would not succeed: PM
Terrorists’ conspiracies against nation would not succeed: PMPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on police station Sarband in Peshawar and expressed grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of a Deputy Superintendent of police and two other personnel in the attack. In his message of condolence, the Prime Minister said sympathies of the nation are with the families of the martyrs. He said the sacrifices of police and law enforcement agencies are unforgettable. The Prime Minister said the condemnable conspiracies of terrorists to weaken morale of the nation would not succeed. He said the nation along with law enforcement agencies is determined to root out the evil of terrorism.
Source:The Nation
January 15, 2023 03:09 UTC
Forest beats Leicester 2-0 and boosts EPL survival hopes
North Andover, MA (01845)TodayCloudy skies with a few snow showers this afternoon. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 30%..TonightSnow showers early will become steadier snow overnight. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 70%.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 15, 2023 00:15 UTC
PA stands dissolved without governor’s approval
“I have decided not to become part of the process leading to the dissolution of Punjab Assembly. I would rather let the Constitution and law take its own course,” the governor wrote on his official Twitter handle. I have decided not to become part of the process leading to the dissolution of Punjab Assembly. “I, Parvez Elahi Chief Minister Punjab, hereby advise you to dissolve the provincial assembly of Punjab,” read the chief minister’s advice to Governor Rehman on the letterhead of the ‘Chief Minister Punjab’ as shared on Twitter by Moonis Elahi. In the letter, the chief minister and the opposition leader have been asked to suggest name for the interim chief minister within three days by January 17 (Tuesday).
Source:The Express Tribune
January 14, 2023 20:23 UTC
PM says tapping friendly nations for more loans 'embarrassed' him
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks during his address at the passing out ceremony of 45th Specialised Training Program of PAS in Lahore.. — Twitter/@GovtofPakistanLAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday spoke about feeling embarrassed while seeking funds and loans from friendly countries during his recent visits across various nations since the flooding in the summer of 2021. PM Shehbaz added that sustainable development goals (SDGs) could be achieved and foreign loans avoided had their "bus moved at a faster pace" and on the right track. UAE has agreed to roll over $2 billion and also approved providing $1 billion in loans. In a veiled reference to the previous government, the prime minister said baseless allegations were levelled against certain officers which caused embarrassment for their families. Terming them as "future of Pakistan", the prime minister expressed the optimism that they would perform with dedication and honesty as the nation had attached expectations to them.
Source:The Nation
January 14, 2023 19:59 UTC
Pakistan to welcome US facilitation on Kashmir talks
Pakistan on Friday said it would welcome facilitation by the United States to break the stalemate with India on the longstanding Kashmir dispute. the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters at weekly briefing in Islamabad. The foreign minister will be accompanied by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar. The World Economic Forum annually brings together political and business leaders to identify pathways to overcome economic, social, and environmental challenges. The foreign minister and the minister of state will also meet participating dignitaries including political leaders, corporate executives, heads of international organisations, and leading media and civil society personalities.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 14, 2023 08:48 UTC
Muslims are always portrayed as the enemy: Sanam Saeed
After Sidharth Malhotra latest starrer Mission Majnu released its first official trailer, fans were quick to point out the inaccurate portrayal of Muslims in Indian cinema. In a recent conversation with Brut India, Sanam Saeed also shared her two cents on Bollywood's habit of stereotyping Muslims and highlighting them "as the enemy" in films. "Of course, we always make fun of how Muslims are portrayed in Indian films with the Kajal and namaz cap, and the green in the back somewhere. She then opined that in real life the relationships between Pakistani and Indian artists are quite wholesome. Despite the challenges, Saeed then went on to highlight how artists from both nations are still trying to collaborate.
Source:The Express Tribune
January 14, 2023 08:43 UTC
Extra-curricular activities
The benefits of co-curricular activities (CA) are numerous, including self-confidence, communication skills, and good physical health. There is no easy way to combine studies and extracurricular activities in Pakistan. Pakistani students face immense pressure to succeed academically, which means that many of them cannot find the time to participate in extracurricular activities. Furthermore, there are often inadequate resources and infrastructure to support extracurricular activities. Finally, there is a lack of awareness and appreciation for extracurricular activities in Pakistan, which makes it difficult for students to participate in them.
Source:The Nation
January 14, 2023 04:35 UTC
Defeating terrorism
Pakistan needs to come up with a very well-considered, multidimensional policy to tackle terrorism anew. It must relaunch an exterior manoeuvre to expose RAW-India’s state sponsorship of terrorism against Pakistan in connivance with other hostile agencies. Of necessity, it needs to have operations, intelligence, technological, media, legal, coordination, administration, etc divisions for it to function effectively. Thus, a wholesome, viable, and effective system will have to be created to deal a fatal blow to terrorism. Should its counter-terrorism policy be a part of its Afghan policy or should both be independent of one another?
Source:The Nation
January 14, 2023 03:57 UTC
Can we welcome the returning doctors?
There are nearly 226,000 doctors in Pakistan, as per the survey done by the Ministry of Finance in 2017-18. Funnily enough, there are around 122,000 doctors registered with the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), as per its recent data. All that we can hope to do is to optimise the use of those who return for family reasons. But if the returning doctors can find an institution that respects the work they do and makes them feel welcome, they are more than satisfied. But the million-dollar question is: will Pakistan welcome these natives?
Source:Pakistan Today
January 14, 2023 01:13 UTC
Shipping industry is a game changer
The shipping industry has the potential to become a major and sustainable contributor to the economy, especially when it comes to the issue of balance of payment. Bulk of the modern shipping industry is run in the private sector where the sole motive is to make profit. If these advantages are utilised intelligently, Pakistan can provide cost-effective ship services, like repairs, supplies, crew change, etc., and can become one of the most sought after destinations for ship services. These ship management firms will give us some kind of a much needed say in the affairs of international shipping. To achieve the above, a paradigm shift is required in our approach towards the neglected shipping industry.
Source:Pakistan Today
January 14, 2023 01:13 UTC
Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones makes NFL decision
Jones’ move has been expected, as he projects as a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and could be the first offensive tackle selected. ATHENS — Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones has announced his intention to forgo next season and turn professional in the football ranks. UGA three-year starter Warren McClendon is another offensive lineman who may or may not return. McClendon had a 37-game streaking starting at right tackle before a knee injury suffered against LSU snapped that string before the Ohio State game. Georgia players who are headed for the NFL as draft picks or possible free-agent signees:DT Jalen Carter (first-round projection)CB Kelee Ringo (first-round projection)OT Broderick Jones (first-round projection)
Source:The Nation
January 14, 2023 00:32 UTC
Aquaponics system a good option for agri farms management
Share:ISLAMABAD - The aquaponics management system is a key technology developed and demonstrated by Pakistani scientists for farmers to manage their farms. An aquaponics management system, a web-based platform, has been developed to assist farmers in creating, analysing, monitoring, and controlling their aquaponic farms. Dr Nosherwan said the prototype of an aquaponics management system has been developed in the lab. “Our team tested this system to grow tomatoes and bell peppers with fish at 120 sq ft and 400 sq ft outdoor aquaponics farms. He said the aquaponic management system can enhance Pakistan’s economy by introducing new techniques and connecting agriculture with technology.
Source:The Nation
January 13, 2023 23:58 UTC
Imran urges all voters to come out for Karachi, Hyderabad polls
PTI Chairman Imran Khan has urged party supporters and residents of Karachi and Hyderabad to come out and vote for PTI in the upcoming local body polls, scheduled to be held in the two two cities on Sunday. “I appeal to all the voters to participate fully in the upcoming LG polls for the Karachi and Hyderabad division and support PTI, as we are fighting against all those parties who have been sucking the blood of this nation for the past 30 years,” Khan said in a video message on the party’s official Twitter handle. He said that “PTI’s victory will introduce a different type of politics in Pakistan and would help Pakistan conquer new heights." Also read: PTI's Imran single-handedly destroys PML-N, powerful quarter’s machinationsDuring a meeting of the electoral watchdog chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, the ECP rejected the request of the Sindh government to postpone local body elections due to legal and constitutional requirements. In a late-night development, the ruling PPP had requested to postpone the elections in the Karachi division, Hyderabad and two tehsils of the Dadu district, Khairpur Nathan and Meher.
Source:The Nation
January 13, 2023 19:11 UTC