Fawad puts Pakistan in command against Zimbabwe
HARARE: Fawad Alam notched his fourth Test hundred as Pakistan built an imposing first innings lead over Zimbabwe on the second day of the first Test in Harare on Friday. Alam drove Zimbabwe seamer Donald Tiripano for two consecutive boundaries to race from 93 to his century, having remarkably converted each of his Test fifties into three figures. Fawad has so far batted for 155 balls, hitting 16 boundaries. The Pakistan captain Azam drove Tiripano firmly to Roy Kaia at an unorthodox short mid-on to record his first ever golden duck in Test cricket. Resuming on 103 without loss, the Pakistan openers struggled early on as the Zimbabwe bowlers kept tight line and length.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 30, 2021 17:22 UTC
Blasphemy law: EU decision to review GSP+ status irks Pakistan
The resolution, adopted on Thursday, demanded of Pakistan to allow space for religious freedom and urged the EU authorities to review the country’s GSP+ status amid "alarming" number of blasphemy cases. "Many of these accusations target human rights defenders, journalists, artists and the most marginalised people in society," it added. Judicial and administrative mechanisms and remedies are in place to guard against any human rights violations," he added. "GSP+ status comes with the obligation to ratify and implement 27 international conventions including commitments to guarantee human rights and religious freedom," the text reads. EU Parliament wants to use trade policy to pressure Pakistan: 'review Pakistan’s eligibility for GSP+ status in the light of current events'."
Source:The Express Tribune
April 30, 2021 17:15 UTC
PM reiterates resolve to complete CPEC projects ‘at all costs’
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday expressed satisfaction on the pace of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s (CPEC) ongoing projects and reiterated the resolve to complete the developments at all costs. The prime minister expressed the resolve while chairing a high level meeting to review progress on the CPEC, the flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The premier was briefed about the progress of ongoing projects in various sectors under the umbrella of CPEC. The meeting was informed that the incumbent government has not only completed the ongoing projects started by the previous government, but is able to complete large number of significant projects in just two and a half years. On the infrastructure development projects, the meeting was informed that, regardless of who started any project, most of the projects have been completed by the incumbent government.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 30, 2021 16:41 UTC
South African, Brazilian strands found
Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazl Pechuho has confirmed the detection of the South African and Brazilian variants of the coronavirus in Karachi. Read UK variant confirmed in SindhStating that the fatality rate of all three strands was higher than the Wuhan variant, she warned, "This is an emergency as vaccines do not offer protection against these [South African and Brazilian] variants." Pechuho hinted that the government might impose a lockdown in the coming daysSouth African & Brazilian variant of COVID-19 found in samples taken by AKU. #SindhHealth pic.twitter.com/F6IRNDTyBQ — Health and Population Welfare Department, Sindh (@SindhHealthDpt) April 30, 2021'Frightening ratio'Parliamentary secretary for health in the Sindh Assembly Qasim Soomro pointed out that the UK, South African and Brazilian variants were detected in a small pool of just 13 samples. Earlier media reports had warned of the presence of the South African and Brazilian variants in the metropolis, citing a study conducted by Infection Control Society of Pakistan president Dr Khanani and molecular biologists Dr Muhammad Hanif and Dr Adnan Dinar.
Source:The Express Tribune
April 30, 2021 10:41 UTC
PM Imran announces Rs370b development package for G-B
Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Friday a package of Rs370 billion for Gilgit-Baltistan and said that investment in tourism could transform the region. "We are announcing a package of Rs370 billion for Gilgit-Baltistan to be reimbursed over the next five years," the premier said. The package, premier added, is also focused on skill development and scholarships for the region's youth. "We need to invest in our youth," he said and stressed the need to upgrade the health system. The health card that we are providing is not part of health insurance, but a health system."
Source:The Express Tribune
April 30, 2021 09:39 UTC
Explainer: What we know about the Indian variant of Covid-19
A patient suffering from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) receives treatment inside the emergency ward at Holy Family hospital in New Delhi, India, April 29, 2021. Here are the basics:What is the Indian variant? The B.1.617 variant contains two key mutations to the outer "spike" portion of the virus that attaches to human cells, said senior Indian virologist Shahid Jameel. In New Delhi, UK variant cases almost doubled during the second half of March, according to Sujeet Kumar Singh, director of the National Centre for Disease Control. The Indian variant, though, is widely present in Maharashtra, the country's hardest-hit state, Singh said.
Source:The Express Tribune
April 30, 2021 01:52 UTC
Cases of coronavirus variant ‘B1135’ reported in Karachi: Pechuho
Dr Pechuho said that along with the UK variant, a variant ‘B1135’ has also been detected in the coronavirus cases reported in Karachi. The minister said that out of 22 coronavirus cases that were investigated, the UK variant was confirmed in 18 cases, while the B1135 variant was confirmed in two cases. “In order to prevent lockdown, the public will have to comply with the SOPs and government’s directives,” the chief minister maintained. The chief minister also directed to ensure strict compliance of SOPs in inter-city bus transport. The chief minister also directed the health department to supervise the facilities of all the hospitals on a daily basis.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 29, 2021 18:11 UTC
Traders urge govt to extend working hours of bakeries, confectioneries, grocery stores
LAHORE: Several businessmen have urged the government to increase working timings of grocery stores, bakeries and confectioneries. Various officials of the Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) believe that grocery stores, bakeries and confectioneries should be allowed to operate till 10 pm as these are important businesses and directly connected to the public. “The situation caused by the coronavirus lockdowns and limited working hours is causing trouble in the business sector. On the other hand, in a survey conducted by Pakistan Today, many people expressed that only limited working hours can reduce the spread of the pandemic. Other than opening bakeries and grocery stores, there are many other important needs of the people.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 29, 2021 18:11 UTC
Instead of opening a can of worms
On Wednesday the Supreme Judicial Council announced its decision not to proceed further against Mr Justice Isa. He was then taken to PM’s Adviser Shahzad Akbar’s office where Mr Memon was told to proceed against Mr Justice Isa in a money laundering case. Mr Memon claims he refused to comply with the directives as he considered them illegal. The former maintains that Mr Memon was never called for any meeting with the PM or himself on Mr Justice Faez Isa’s issue. Senator Naseem too has categorically rejected Mr Memon’s claims, maintaining that he never discussed any issue regarding Mr Justice Isa with Mr Memon.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 29, 2021 17:48 UTC
PM talks to Bill Gates
Prime Minister Imran Khan and Bill Gates, Co-Chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Wednesday discussed matters including COVID-19 response, polio eradication and climate change and agreed to continue working together on the shared objectives. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the work of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for fighting poverty, combating COVID-19 pandemic and inequalities around the world. Recalling his recent letter addressed to Bill Gates on climate change, the Prime Minister apprised him about Pakistan’s flagship initiatives including the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami. Bill Gates acknowledged Pakistan’s commitment to address climate change and agreed that the world must come together to face this global challenge. He also suggested Prime Minister Khan to leverage Pakistan’s unique voice to raise awareness for increasing global support for smallholder farmers.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 29, 2021 17:37 UTC
Pakistan to register Khewra salt at foreign markets
This will prevent Indian traders to market Pakistani rock salt as Himalayan Pink Salt. Rock salt of Khewra, which, after being traded to UAE, was being re-exported as Himalayan salt of Indian origin. In this regard, the PMDC has completed the formalities for registration rock salt with the Geographical Indications (GI) registry following which the country will file for registration at foreign markets. Karachi based salt trader, Ahmed Khan, said that there was a very high demand for rock salt world over, not only as table salt but also for industrial usage and as a healing agent by massage centres in Korea and Thailand. “Most of the salt business is the hands of small traders who need investment for packing and other value addition, but they cannot get bank loans etc.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 29, 2021 16:32 UTC
PPP leads the race in Karachi’s NA-249 by-polls
KARACHI: A close contest ensued between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in NA-249 (Karachi West-II) on Thursday. Counting started after polling ended on Thursday at 276 polling stations comprising 796 polling booths which were established in the constituency, Radio Pakistan reported. According to unofficial results, PPP’s Abdul Qadir Mandokhel is leading the race with PML-N’s Miftah Ismail close behind, unofficial results from 63 of 276 polling stations show. Earlier, taking strict notice of PTI lawmakers’ presence in the NA-249 constituency during the by-poll, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) directed them to leave. He also urged caution in light of the current coronavirus situation and told voters to wear a face mask.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 29, 2021 15:57 UTC
Senior journalist Khurram Baig passes away
Senior journalist Mirza Khurram Baig, popularly known as KB, passed away on Thursday, family and friends have confirmed. Read more: Veteran journalist Zia Shahid passes away in LahoreKhurram Baig started his journalistic career in print with Pakistan Press International (PPI). Always trying to raise the standard,” said Kamal Siddiqi, who was his Editor at The Express Tribune in 2013. Also read: Veteran journalist Ahfazur Rahman passes awayKB had also worked as media consultant and content strategist, and had an interest in big data. He had a nearly four-year-long association as Business Editor at Qineqt, an international organisation that helps businesses determine strategy based on data.
Source:The Express Tribune
April 29, 2021 15:53 UTC
Govt announces six-day Eid holidays
The country's nerve centre for Covid-related decision-making, in a statement, also announced "stay home stay safe strategy" for mobility control from May 8 to 16 which included the Eid holidays. Travel nodes leading to the tourist destinations, particularly the scenic valleys of Murree, Swat, and northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, which attract hundreds of thousands of tourists from across the country during Eid holidays, will also remain closed during the said period, the ministry added. There will be a complete ban on inter-provincial and inter-city transport during the Eid holidays, except for the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan, who will be allowed to travel to their hometowns. The country on Thursday recorded another 5,480 new cases and 151 deaths, raising the total caseload and death toll to 815,711 and 17,680 respectively. The country of 210 million people has so far vaccinated around two million people.
Source:The Express Tribune
April 29, 2021 14:48 UTC