India’s Covid-19 daily cases hold close to record, another state imposes lockdown
Authorities reported 392,488 new cases in the previous 24 hours to push total cases to 19.56 million. Nearly 10 Indian states and union territories have imposed some form of restrictions, even as the federal government remains reluctant to impose a national lockdown. The eastern state of Odisha became the latest to announce a two-week lockdown, joining Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal. The Indian Express newspaper reported on Sunday that the country’s Covid-19 task force has advised the federal government to impose a national lockdown. The lockdown imposed last year after the first Covid-19 outbreak led to job losses as economic output fell a record 24 percent in April-June 2020 compared with the same period a year earlier.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 02, 2021 11:29 UTC
Pandemic pains: the plight of Pakistan’s labourers
Creative: Mohsin AlamThe labour class in Pakistan has always been on the brink of unemployment. Textile industries in Pakistan also had to conduct layoffs, especially those industries whose export were cancelled due to the pandemic. According to the International Labour Organisation database, Pakistan’s unemployment rate, which was already 3.98 per cent in 2019, increased to 4.65 per cent in 2020. Now with the third wave of the deadly pandemic sweeping across the nation, the labour force fears that the worst us yet to come. An invisible struggleThe struggles of home-based women workers invisible to our eyes as they’re hidden in inside their homes.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 02, 2021 06:36 UTC
References and vendettas
In the meanwhile, the council issued notice to Justice Isa over a complaint for writing a letter to President of Pakistan. Justice Isa, in his petition, asked the court to dismiss the references filed against him with “malice, ulterior motives and to achieve a collateral purpose.” He also argued that the references undermine the independence provided to the judiciary under the constitution. If Justice Isa was removed then Justice Sardar Tariq Masood could have become CJP, he argued. Likewise, during the hearing of review petitions, unpleasant scenes were also witnessed, when harsh words were exchanged with each other. A government functionary hoped that Justice Isa while deciding cases will not hold any personal grudge against any executive authority.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 02, 2021 05:59 UTC
Beware of options
Binary options: more gambling than tradingThe SEC states that a binary option is a type of options contract in which the payout will depend entirely on the outcome of a yes/no proposition. A glimpse from behind the portalThe Express Tribune managed to reach out to one former employee of one now defunct foreign forex binary options platform. “The reality is that these trading platforms and websites are fake, she stressed adding that the trading platforms exist only nominally,” she said. Binary option factsNadex is a regulated binary options exchange in the USNon-Nadex binary options are aren't regulated in the USIn April 2019, UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) banned the sale, marketing and distribution of binary options by firms to retail consumers in UK. In March 2018, the European Securities and Markets Authority prohibited marketing, distribution or sale of binary options to retail clientsUS SEC guidelines on binary options
Source:The Express Tribune
May 02, 2021 05:51 UTC
Industrial sector to cut 15-20% jobs after Eid
Industrialists are preparing to slash 15-20% jobs after Eidul Fitr in the wake of slowdown in industrial production amid third wave of Covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan, The Express Tribune learnt on the International Labour Day on Saturday. The estimated number of layoffs, of 15-20%, translates into millions, considering the industrial sector of the economy provides job opportunities to around 21% of the total labour force. “Initially, we estimate 15-20% layoffs after Eid, however, the actual number of layoffs may be much higher than the initial estimates,” said Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) former president Majyd Aziz. “Industrialists were bullish during October 2020 to January 2021 (when Pakistan received huge amount of textile export orders),” he said. “Initial estimates shows that in case of limited restrictions, about 1.4 million jobs will be lost, which are equal to 2.2% of the employed workforce.”It anticipated wage losses to translate into Rs23.6 billion in monetary terms.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 02, 2021 04:07 UTC
Covid’s monthly death toll doubles
The previous daily record death toll was surpassed five times successively during the month, including four times between April 18 and 28. As many as 1,925 deaths were reported in the 36 districts of Punjab due to coronavirus, raising the total death toll in the province to 8,410. The figure surpassed the highest toll recorded in the province in a day of 86 on June 24 last year. On April 20, the death toll crossed the 100 mark for the first time as 104 deaths were confirmed in Punjab, including 46 in Lahore. Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department spokesman Sayed Hamad Raza termed the sharp increase in death toll alarming.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 02, 2021 03:45 UTC
Lahore authorities fail to implement Covid-19 SOPs
LAHORE: The authorities have failed to ensure implementation of coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) in Lahore as most of the markets remained open on Saturday. “All sorts of shops were open in the entire Ichhra Market. Model Town Assistant Commissioner Ibrahim Arbab said his team had closed the entire Ichhra Market. “The market was crowded and the SOPs were not being implemented, which led to the immediate closure of the entire market,” he said. “Several shops at Mall Road, including Stylo Shoes, Riaz Pan Shop, Mary Dawn Bakery, Nafis Pan Shop, Lala Pan Shop and KFC, were sealed.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 01, 2021 22:07 UTC
Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme
The Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme consists of two broad initiatives taken by the government of Pakistan .The first initiative is establishing Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority ( NAPDHA ) at federal government level which will build 5 millions homes in concert with provincial governments ( Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , Gigit Bultistan ) . The second very important initiative of Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme is Government‘s Mark Up Subsidy Scheme ( GMSS) . I believe Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme has a great economic potential for both the weaker segment of our society and for the country as whole . I have following two suggestions for the improvement of Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme which may be looked into by the honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan and respectable governor of State Bank of Pakistan : (1) As per the above mentioned Mark Up Subsidy Scheme ( Reference : State Bank of Pakistan’s Circular No. They can play a very important part in making Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme a great success.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 01, 2021 20:26 UTC
The ever-lengthening shadows of time
The extreme disproportion between men that we seem to see in life is a thing of changing lights and lengthening shadows: twilight full of fancies and distortions.”K. ChestertonThe recent past has been witness to a gruesome lot happening with much more continuing to unravel as time flows past casting its ever lengthening shadows. One wonders about what shall emerge from behind these shadows when the tide of time strikes a different note. The multiple layers of the beneficiary elite which are deeply dug in, fully supported by a string of aiders and abettors, are absolutely unwilling to even think of changing their wicked ways which have traditionally brought them power and profit. The relative inability in unravelling the illicit partnership among the beneficiary elite, the judiciary, the bureaucracy and some state institutions has held it back a while. In the words of Confucius, “the end of the day is near when small men make long shadows.” The beneficiary elite comprise small men, indeed, and they are fast nearing the end of their dastardly pursuits.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 01, 2021 20:15 UTC
GSP status after concessions to TLP
After the recent episode concerning the French cartoons Mr Khan condemned it in a number of tweets. As the government sought a delay in taking the matter to Parliament, the TLP went on the rampage last month, destroying government and private property, attacking passersby and kidnapping and torturing police officers. The government arrested TLP leaders and banned the organization though allowing it to appeal against the decision. A Treasury member meanwhile introduced a resolution in the National Assembly as promised to the TLP, which was sent to a parliamentary committee. Pakistan got GSP status when the country was under Nawaz Sharif.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 01, 2021 20:15 UTC
143 violations observed in NA-249 by-poll: FAFEN
KARACHI: The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has revealed that 143 violations of election laws were observed during the NA-249 by-elections in Karachi. The FAFEN report said that its observers reported 143 violations on the election day, out of which 55 were regarding the presence of party camps in the polling stations’ surroundings. On average, the observers reported 1.3 violations per polling station,” it said. “The observers found election material in enough quantities at all of the observed polling stations. “The polling agents of contesting candidates were present at all the observed polling stations.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 01, 2021 15:45 UTC
ECP withholds NA-249 by-poll result on Miftah Ismail’s request
The ECP has issued a stay order, withholding results of the by-poll after accepting PML-N candidate Miftah Ismail’s request for a recount of votes of the Karachi-West NA-249 by-election. Ismail has alleged that presiding officers from 34 polling stations did not WhatsApp the results. Counting started after polling ended on Thursday at 276 polling stations comprising 796 polling booths which were established in the constituency. She slammed the political opponents in a Twitter message, saying that the tactics to defeat her political party will be exposed soon. Maryam said that the political party will accept defeat if it is the decision of the citizens.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 01, 2021 15:00 UTC
ECP accepts PML-N’s request for recount in Karachi by-poll
KARACHI: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday accepted the request of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Miftah Ismail for a recount in NA-249 (Karachi West-II) where a by-election was held on Thursday and fixed it for hearing for Thursday. “The petitioner has further pointed out that there is a difference in the total votes recorded in Form-45 and Form-47. “The petitioner has also submitted an application for the forensic audit of Form-45 with WhatsApp/RTS on April 30,” said the order. PPP candidate Abdul Qadir Mandokhail won the election by securing 16,150 votes, according to unofficial results. Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) Mufti Nazeer Kamalvi clinched the third spot with 11,125 votes, followed by Mustafa Kamal of the PSP who bagged 9,227 votes.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 01, 2021 12:45 UTC
Imran renews offer for talks with Opp on electoral reforms
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday once again invited the opposition parties to participate in bringing electoral reforms in order to restore the credibility of elections. In fact, apart from 1970 election, in every election claims of rigging have raised doubts over credibility of election results. I invite the Opposition to sit with us & select from EVM models we have available to restore our elections credibility. I invite the Opposition to sit with us & select from EVM models we have available to restore our elections credibility. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 1, 2021“For a year now we have been asking the Opposition to cooperate with us & help reform our present electoral system,” he recalled.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 01, 2021 11:37 UTC
Australia bans arrivals from India, says offenders face jail, fines
CANBERRA: Australian residents and citizens who have been in India within 14 days of the date they plan to return home will be banned from entering Australia as of Monday and those who disobey will face fines and jail, government officials said. The temporary emergency determination, issued late on Friday, is the first time Australia has made it a criminal offence for its citizens to return home. Neela Janakiramanan, an Australian surgeon with family in India said the decision to “criminalise” Australians returning from India was disproportionate and overly punitive. Australians have a right of return to their own country,” Human Rights Watch’s Australia director, Elaine Pearson said in a statement. Tuesday’s move had left over 9,000 Australians stranded in India, 650 of whom are registered as vulnerable, officials said.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 01, 2021 09:59 UTC