By-elections in NA-249, Karachi West-II today
KARACHI: All is set to hold by-elections on National Assembly constituency NA-249, Karachi West-II on Thursday. Presiding officers have been directed that pictures of Form-45 be sent to returning officers in presence of polling agents of contesting candidates. Amjad Afridi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Miftah Ismail of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Qadir Khan Madokhel of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Mustafa Kamal of Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) and Mohammad Mursaleen of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) are taking part in the election in constituency.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 28, 2021 17:03 UTC
Govt introduces Rs1.24tn stimulus package for SMEs to shield against insolvency
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin has said that the government has introduced the largest-ever economic stimulus package of Rs1.24 trillion for Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) to shield them against insolvency during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his virtual remarks, the finance minister apprised the forum about the economic challenges faced by Pakistan due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “To lessen the severe impact on the economy, the government of Pakistan introduced the largest-ever economic stimulus package for SMEs to shield against insolvency and facilitated the construction sector and allied industries to stimulate growth during testing times,” according to Tarin. “The third wave of COVID-19 is particularly challenging and Pakistan needs the support of development partners to stimulate recovery,” he said. The finance minister of Maldives as well as high-level delegates from Mongolia and the Kyrgyz Republic also participated during the session.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 28, 2021 15:40 UTC
Fazl convinces PPP, ANP to review parting ways with PDM
A source in the opposition alliance informed Pakistan Today that there have been backdoor contacts between Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the PPP. “Ice is melting and the PPP and ANP are expected to attend the next meeting of PDM,” the source said. “During these contacts, Maulana Fazlur Rehman has asked the PPP and the ANP to reconsider their position. That is why Maulana Fazlur Rehman has directed that the parties will not make statements against each other till the summit,” the source added. Moreover, Fazl is convinced that PPP and ANP are expected to participate in the next PDM summit.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 28, 2021 15:00 UTC
Govt will do everything to redress Balochistan's grievances: PM
Prime Minister Imran Khan assured on Wednesday that the government would do everything to redress the grievances of the people of Balochistan and said his focus was to bring a revolution in the province. The premier's remarks came at the groundbreaking ceremony of three roads to be constructed under the National Highway Authority (NHA) in Quetta. LIVE #APPNews : Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI addressing groundbreaking ceremony of the projects of 22-kilometer dualization of Quetta Western Bypass (N-25) and construction of 11-kilometer Dera Murad Jamali Bypass (N-65) . @PakPMO @dpr_gob https://t.co/Rte5W7ALKU — APP 🇵🇰 (@appcsocialmedia) April 28, 2021During the day-long visit, he inaugurated the construction of 162-kilometre Ziarat Harnai road, 23-kilometer dualisation of Quetta Western Bypass (N-25) and construction of 11-kilometer Dera Murad Jamali Bypass (N-65). Also read Farmers being strengthened to bring agricultural revolution: PM ImranThe prime minister pledged to develop the entire area along the western route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Source:The Express Tribune
April 28, 2021 12:11 UTC
Punjab shuts down colleges as Covid-19 cases rise
LAHORE: The Punjab government on Wednesday directed all colleges, both public and private, to shut down campuses from Thursday until the Eid holidays. “In continuation of earlier notification on 25-04-2021 & in line with the decisions of #NCOC dated 27-04-2021 all Public & Private Colleges in Punjab shall remain closed w.e.f. #In continuation of earlier notification on 25-04-2021 & in line with the decisions of #NCOC dated 27-04-2021 all Public & Private Colleges in Punjab shall remain closed w.e.f. It reported 2,676 new infections after conducting 20,665 tests, receiving back a positivity rate of 12.95 per cent. The Punjab government a day earlier issued revised guidelines, placing further restrictions on various sectors in cities with high transmission ratios.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 28, 2021 11:37 UTC
SECP to allow special purpose acquisition companies
ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is mulling to introduce the concept of a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to facilitate raising capital for acquisitions or mergers. The paid-up capital requirement for SPAC shall be Rs1 million and it shall raise at least Rs200 million through a public offering. Each merger or acquisition transaction shall be approved by the shareholders by way of special resolution. Upon merger, the merged entity shall be automatically listed and in case of acquisition, the SPAC shall list the acquired entity. Shareholder/(s) disapproving the merger or acquisition is entitled to a refund of their money out of the Escrow account as per the specified procedure.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 28, 2021 11:37 UTC
Experts to prepare report on PSM oxygen plant revival
KARACHI: After completing the examination of the oxygen plant at Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) on the directives of the federal government, Engineering Development Board (EDB), Pakistan Oxygen Private Limited, and a team of experts will now compile a report on how to revive the facility. Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers will also assist in the compilation of the report. The report will devise a roadmap as to how to overcome different challenges that stand in the way of the revival of the plant. A non-stop supply of industrial water, as well as seawater, is needed for the revival of the plant. Similarly, a supply of electricity and steam will also be required for this purpose.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 28, 2021 09:56 UTC
Naseem, Akbar reject former FIA boss’ ‘baseless’ claims
“I have never discussed any issue regarding Justice Isa with Memon,” Minister for Law and Justice Naseem said in a tweet. I have never discussed any issue regarding Justice Qazi Faez Isa with Bashir Memon. 1/3 — Barrister Dr. Farogh Naseem (@Farogh_NaseemPK) April 27, 2021“[Principal Secretary to Prime Minister] Azam Khan, Shahzad Akbar and Memon have never come to my office together. ‘GOVT USING INSTITUTIONS TO THREATEN OPP’:Maryam accused the prime minister of using state institutions to threaten and silence opposition leaders and “put them behind bars”. Maryam also lauded Justice Isa for “fighting conspiracies” and said the government “achieved nothing but defeat”.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 28, 2021 09:11 UTC
PIA to airlift another two million jabs from China
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday finalised arrangements to airlift another two million shots of Covid-19 vaccines from China. Over the weekend, three PIA aircraft brought back a consignment of one million jabs from China. “Three PIA Boeing 777 aircraft have brought one million doses. The aircraft had left for China on Saturday,” Arab News had quoted PIA spokesperson Abdullah Niazi as saying. Last week, Minister of State for Health Dr Faisal Sultan announced that by the end of June, the government would have a stock of 17 million coronavirus vaccine jabs but stopped short of identifying the producer.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 28, 2021 09:00 UTC
Top medical body urges general lockdown
KARACHI: Sharing concerns over the worsening situation of Covid-19 in the country, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Wednesday urged the government to impose a full, countrywide lockdown to control the rising number of infections. PMA General Secretary Dr Qaiser Sajjad told a private television channel coming weeks can be tough for Pakistan given how the coronavirus is spreading. Dr Qaiser said the government should consider imposing a blanket lockdown to bring the number of cases down. Pakistan recorded more than two hundred Covid-19 deaths in a day for the first time since the start of the pandemic in February last year. A total of 5,292 new cases were reported on Tuesday, bringing the total cases to 810,231.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 28, 2021 08:37 UTC
Pakistan reports 201 Covid-19 deaths in highest daily total
The government portal keeping track of the outbreak in Pakistan has recorded more than 810,231 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including at least 17,530 deaths, since the start of the pandemic. The current number of active cases across the country is around 88,207, whereas some 704,494 patients have so far recovered. 2 MILLION VACCINATED:Meanwhile, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said a total of 2.1 million vaccine doses had been administered. “Daily vaccinations crossed 1 lakh in a day for the first time yesterday,” Asad announced in a tweet. Total vaccinations yesterday were 117,852.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 28, 2021 05:36 UTC
Wahab seeks deferral of non-urgent cases
Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab penned a letter to the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday, seeking the postponement of cases pertaining to matters that are not of urgent nature. "The provincial taskforce has taken certain important decisions for timely prevention of the spread and dissemination of the disease amongst the masses, which includes banning inter-city transport, ban on visit in jails, closure of educational institutions and government offices" read the letter. "The current situation demands reiteration of the similar earlier administrative measures taken and implemented by your honour last year." Wahab further stated,"I would, therefore, request and urge if the routine court work is suspended and only matters of urgent nature are fixed for hearing, so that the honourable judges, learned lawyers, court staff as well as litigants are protected from the pandemic." Published in The Express Tribune, April 28th, 2021.
Source:The Express Tribune
April 28, 2021 04:41 UTC
SBP revises current account deficit
The revised current account deficit for the previous fiscal year was $4.44 billion or 1.7% of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the central bank. Even in its latest staff-level report released this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) quoted Pakistan’s current account deficit at nearly $3 billion for the last fiscal year. But the latest summary showed that the $3 billion current account deficit was underreported by $1.5 billion or 50%, showed the official statistics. For this fiscal year, some minor adjustments in the current account deficit have also been made. During the ongoing fiscal year, the current account has remained in surplus at $959 million in the first nine months (Jul-Mar).
Source:The Express Tribune
April 28, 2021 03:49 UTC
Online learning and health issues
The outbreak of pandemic throughout the world has paralyzed all activities including the education system,it has its impact on students health be it mental or physical , premarily it triggers new changes in mood and mental health. Although online learning is quite convenient to take but with some benefits comes disadvantages as well. Online classes for young children can cause stress on their growing brain. Weak eyesight,overweight,sleep deprivation,increased mortality rate due to excessive sitting and behavioral issues among students are found to be higher owing to online classes. Being a student i also have to confront with excessive sitting and with the view to avoid sitting the only solution i can think of is to resort to standing and walk slightly during online classes it might helps combat with health problems which are attributed to excessive sitting.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 27, 2021 18:42 UTC
A tactical step back or an embrace?
In the ongoing eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation, Prime Minister Imran Khan has been the first to blink. Mr Khan has agreed to meet a group of party lawmakers who are angry at the treatment being meted out to the party’s former general secretary. It must have come as a shock to Mr Khan that when push comes to shove not all party law makers would be loyal to him. - Advertisement -Things came to a head when the FIA booked Mr Jehangir Khan Tareen, son Ali Tareen and other members of the family in two separate cases pertaining to financial embezzlement and money laundering. This is likely to be seen as a deviation on the part of Mr Khan from the high moral principles professed by him, in order to continue to remain in power.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 27, 2021 18:22 UTC