Samples of counterfeit fertilizers and pests by 46 companies had been dispatched to the markets. Such crises are a stark reminder of the deep-rooted challenges faced by the agricultural sector in Punjab. Regulatory and bureaucratic shortcomings have long plagued Punjab’s farmers leaving them vulnerable to deceitful actors marketing substandard agricultural inputs. Moving forward, the government must empower farmers with knowledge to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit fertilizers. We need sustained effort that focuses on a regulatory framework that seeks to identify the loopholes in the agricultural sector.
Source:The Nation
May 09, 2024 01:38 UTC
According to sources in the Ministry of Finance, the volume of payments to IPPs has reached 1800 billion rupees, while the revolving credit of the energy sector has reached the level of 2310 billion rupees. Sources in the Ministry of Finance say that the IPPs are under pressure from the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance for immediate payments, the IPPs have demanded to release money for payments and to improve fuel supply. According to sources, there is a fear of a reduction in energy production due to delays in payments to IPPs, and late payment surcharge is also feared. Sources also say that about Rs 140 billion is likely to be released this week for payments to IPPs. According to the sources of the Ministry of Finance, the revolving credit of the energy sector has also reached the level of 2310 billion rupees.
Source:The Patriot
May 08, 2024 22:25 UTC
Pakistan cricket team reached Dublin to play T20 series against Ireland. According to sources, the national cricket team will rest today in Dublin, while the first training session of the Pakistan team is scheduled on May 9. The three T20 Internationals between Pakistan and Ireland will be played in Dublin on May 10, 12 and 14. After completing the tour of Ireland, the Pakistan cricket team will reach England where they have to play a series of 4 T20 International matches against England. These matches will be played between England and the national team from May 22 to 30
Source:The Patriot
May 08, 2024 21:15 UTC
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday ruled that former prime minister Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, be transferred from the Bani Gala sub-jail to Adiala jail. IHC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb delivered the decision on Bushra Bibi’s petition, which requested her relocation to Adiala jail where her husband is currently detained. Initially, Bani Gala was declared a sub-jail to detain her at the superintendent of Adiala jail’s behest. On February 6, she challenged the decision to confine her at Bani Gala for her 14-year sentence. In her petition, she expressed her readiness to serve her sentence in Adiala Jail like other political detainees, rather than at her designated residence.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 08, 2024 20:25 UTC
LAHORE – A clash broke out in Lahore today in front of Lahore High Court (LHC) as a heavy contingent of Punjab Police clashed with members of Lahore Bar Association (LBA) who were protesting against the notification to transfer civil cases to Model Town kutchery and the registration of terrorism cases against lawyers. The LBA had give the government two weeks to take back the notification. As soon as the police arrived at LHC, violence erupted as clashes between police and LBA lawyers broke out. Violence erupted on Mall road close to LHC as police restricted lawyers to enter premises of LHC. Police resorted to heavy tear gas shelling, use of water canon and riot control to quell the protestThis is a developing story
Source:Pakistan Today
May 08, 2024 19:40 UTC
La coreografia dei tifosi del Club Brugge e la sciarpata da parte dei sostenitori viola al Jan Breydel Stadion per la semifinale di ritorno di ConferenceLeague. Club Brugge kept them pinned in their own half for most of the first 20 minutes and finally got the breakthrough from a poor Pietro Terracciano punt. At the other end, a Nikola Milenković slip set Igor Thiago clear to square for Michał Skóraś, but Dodô intervened to prevent a tap in. Second halfFlare smoke prevented the start of the second half and the Viola forgot to show up for a moment after the restart, allowing a couple of chances before finding a rhythm again and dominating. Igor Thiago was ruled offside on the follow-up and that was pretty much that, aside from some ill-tempered shoving.
Source:The Nation
May 08, 2024 19:23 UTC
PTI Chairman-for-life, who has been unjustly incarcerated in Adiala Jail, in his message to the nation, said that PTI is the largest and most popular party of the country, whose political struggle is very bright. Imran Khan said that May 9 was a false flag operation on May 9, through which an attempt was made to crush PTI. He also that it should be made public that on whose order the security of Corps Commander House and Cantt was removed. About polls fraud, Imran Khan stated that Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar had not only exposed the polls robbery but proved their stance right by taunting a member of the ruling party about the reality of Form 47. Imran Khan stated that the first objective of the London Plan was to put him in jail, the second goal was to waive the cases of Nawaz Sharif and the third objective of the London Plan was to crush PTI.
Source:The Nation
May 08, 2024 19:08 UTC
What is often referred to as the biggest night in fashion took place on Monday in New York City. The Met Gala, always scheduled for the first Monday of May, allows A-list celebrities to walk the carpet in a display of avant-garde fashion as they raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. “The Met Gala is really giving the Capitol vibes while a genocide is happening in Gaza,” an X user wrote. “Nine men tenderly placed Cardi B’s dress on the Met Gala floor. There was also mass outrage when the prices of the Met Gala tickets were made public.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 08, 2024 16:25 UTC
The atmosphere turned tense outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday as associates of firebrand PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat reacted aggressively to a journalist's probing question during Marwat's media address. Marwat, visibly agitated, interrupted the journalist, demanding proper language usage and ultimately prohibited further questioning. "You are a beggar… I curse a journalist who uses foul language, you will not be allowed to question me in the future," Marwat retorted. "I don't want anything to do with this committee," Marwat declared, distancing himself from the PAC amidst the internal discord within the PTI. This latest episode adds to a string of controversies surrounding Marwat, underscoring the ongoing factional tensions within the party.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 08, 2024 16:15 UTC
I am writing to express my deep concern about the alarming levels of unemployment in Pakistan. Despite the nation’s potential for economic growth and development, a significant portion of the population remains jobless, leading to widespread socio-economic challenges. The current unemployment rate in Pakistan is staggering, and it disproportionately affects young people, with youth unemployment reaching critical levels. One of the main contributors to this crisis is the lack of opportunities in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and services. Moreover, the informal sector, which employs a significant proportion of the population, often lacks job security, fair wages, and basic labour rights, further exacerbating the issue of unemployment and perpetuating poverty.
Source:The Nation
May 08, 2024 04:32 UTC
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to visit Pakistan this month, potentially opening doors for vital investments from the “brotherly country.”His impending visit comes after a prolonged delay; his last trip to Pakistan was in February 2019. However, sources reveal that the prince has now accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has made two recent visits to Riyadh. Preceding the crown prince's visit, a high-powered Saudi delegation, including prominent businessmen, is currently in Islamabad, engaging in discussions with Pakistani counterparts to explore investment opportunities. Read KSA eyes Pakistan as high-priority economic, investment opportunity: Saudi ministerFollowing the prime minister’s visit, the crown prince dispatched a high-powered delegation headed by the Saudi foreign minister to Islamabad. The delegation comprised key members of the Saudi cabinet and some of the close aides of the crown prince working on his “Vision-2030”.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 07, 2024 19:03 UTC
Federal Minister for Finance Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb addressing a press conference in Islamabad on May 7, 2024. PHOTO: PIDFinance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb proposed on Tuesday raising the retirement age and restructuring pension payments to alleviate the financial strain on the economy. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar following a cabinet meeting, the minister stated that the country's economy was gradually stabilizing. Among the positive economic indicators outlined by the finance minister were foreign exchange reserves surpassing $9 billion, currency stabilizing, and inflation decreasing to 17% from 38%. Law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also underscored the importance of economic stability for the country to progress and emphasized the correlation between political and economic stability.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 07, 2024 18:57 UTC
RAWALPINDI, May 07 (APP):A one-day seminar titled “Role of Youth in Nation Building: In the Light of Iqbal’s Thought” was held in collaboration with the National Language Promotion Institute, National Heritage and Culture Division and Message of Pakistan here on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of PMYP Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said that nations who forget their culture, civilization, traditions and language could not progress. The Director General of the National Language Promotion Institute Prof Dr Muhammad Salim Mazhar delivered the welcome speech. The seminar was attended by teachers, research scholars and students of Islamabad’s NUML University, Fatima Jinnah University Rawalpindi, Hamdard Islamic University and writers, poets and media personalities of the twin cities. Dr Humira Shehbaz, of the NUML Persian department, Mehboob Zafar of the literary organization “Zawiya” and former Dean of Islamia University Bahawalpur Dr Shafiq Ahmed also discussed the role of youth in the light of Iqbal’s ideology.
Source:The Nation
May 07, 2024 16:56 UTC
For years, the dilapidated condition of the Karakoram Highway and Baltistan Road has led to frequent blockades or fatal accidents. Once the infrastructure is enhanced, we can reasonably expect the annual tourist count to be in the millions. Frequent travellers also cite the use of Babusar Road as an alternative route to the highway. At some point, primary routes will become impassable due to weather conditions, and tourists will need such routes in the case of emergencies. Collaboration will be imperative as we go about this process, but if all goes well, we may be able to harness the full potential of our pristine northern areas as a viable and sustainable tourism destination.
Source:The Nation
May 07, 2024 16:50 UTC
Sindh Minister for Energy and Planning & Development Syed Nasir Hussain Shah gestures during a meeting. — APP/FileSindh Minister for Energy and Planning & Development Syed Nasir Hussain Shah on Monday inaugurated Pakistan’s first private charging station for electric vehicles in Karachi. He said the provincial government is promoting public-private partnerships, and providing all possible support and cooperation to investors in various sectors in the province. In view of the increasing rise in atmospheric temperature, he pointed out that the nation would have to move to green energy and solarisation. Shah said that labour-intensive miners are the backbone of the energy sector.
Source:The Nation
May 07, 2024 15:03 UTC