Pakistan News World

Pakistan reports 656 new coronavirus cases and one death during the last 24 hours, said the National Institute of Health in its update on Monday morning. According to fresh statistics, the COVID-19 positivity rate in Pakistan surged to 3.35 percent. As many as 656 new COVID-19 infections were detected after testing on 19,611 samples in the last 24 hours, taking Pakistan's total cases to 1,554,591. Meanwhile, 161 people suffering from the virus are being treated in critical care units.   COVID-19 Statistics 01 August 2022 Total Tests in Last 24 Hours: 19,611 Positive Cases: 656 Positivity %: 3.35% Deaths: 01 Patients on Critical Care: 161 — NIH Pakistan (@NIH_Pakistan) August 1, 2022   via Original Source

During the last 24 hours, at least nine more people died in Balochistan. According to a Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) report, around 13,000 homes have also been damaged in the flash floods. The heavy monsoon spells have rendered Balochistan calamity stricken as at least 136 people have so far been confirmed dead due to flood related incidents. In Quetta, sinkholes were formed on many roads due to heavy rainfall. On the other hand, Punjab’s Jhang and Ranjanpur districts reeled under flood waves. The River Chenab overflowed near Jhang and water entered the populated areas. Officials feared overflowing Chenab could also cause floods near Gujranwala. In Rajanpur, which was hit by floods earlier this week, the Pakistan Army continues to carry out rescue operations. It has also set up medical and relief camps. In Dera Ghazi Khan, the flood water was receding and people who had migrated from the area were returning homes. However, in the Sindh province, several vill

The Punjab Assembly passed a resolution against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, and demanded his resignation as chief of the Election Commission of Pakistan. PTI’s Member Provincial Assembly Syed Abbas Ali Shah presented the resolution during a session chaired by Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan. The motion calls on CEC Raja to resign from his post. After the motion was passed, the Assembly was adjourned till August 15. It should be noted that the PTI leadership held a high-level meeting on Saturday during which they decided to file a judicial reference against the Chief Election Commissioner. PTI Chief Imran Khan directed the party’s legal experts to prepare a reference against him. The decision came after the party’s repeated demands calling for CEC’s resignation. via Original Source

Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps troops continue to engage in rescue and relief efforts in the flood-hit areas of the country, and are busy in repair work on highways and motorways to restore connectivity, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Sunday. According to a statement by the military's media wing, Army and FC personnel "are busy in rescue and relief efforts, apart from providing medical care and opening up communication infrastructure". Providing an update on the flow of various rivers, the ISPR said all rivers are "flowing normal" except a low flood in Indus River at Attock, Tarbela, Chashma, and Guddu. A low flood was also reported at Warsak and a medium flood at Nowshehra in Kabul River. KP situation According to the statement, a maximum of 133mm rain has been recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Mardan district followed by Mohmand district where 85mm of rain was recorded. The troops carried out dewatering efforts in Mardan, said the ISPR

Finance minister Miftah Ismail on Sunday said that the Pakistani rupee, which has taken a beating against the US dollar in recent weeks, should see some improvement "in the two weeks". Ismail was addressing a press conference to speak about Pakistan's economic path forward. "I really think — although I never like to speculate on the currency market — but I really think that the rupee's true value is far greater [than what it is right now]," the finance minister said. He explained that in the past two months, Pakistan had to part with "a billion and another billion", which put pressure on the local currency. Ismail said that efforts will be geared towards more dollars coming in daily and fewer leaving the country next month. "With our efforts to reduce imports and InshaAllah, with the daily rise in incoming dollars versus a decline in outgoing units, there will be a surplus [of dollars]," he said. "This will lead to a reduced p

A senior official in Russian-annexed Crimea accused Ukraine on Sunday of carrying out a drone attack ahead of planned celebrations to mark Navy Day, injuring five and forcing the cancellation of festivities. The accusation comes hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to oversee Navy Day celebrations in his hometown of St Petersburg and approve Russia’s naval doctrine as Moscow presses on with its military intervention in Ukraine. “An unidentified object flew into the courtyard of the fleet’s headquarters,” Mikhail Razvozhayev, governor of Sevastopol, home to Russia’s Black Sea fleet, wrote on the Telegram messaging app. “According to preliminary information, it is a drone.” He said Ukraine had decided to “spoil Navy Day for us”. The Ukrainian defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Razvozhayev said that five employees of the fleet headquarters had been injured in the incident and that the Federal Security Service (FSB) was investigat

Sri Lanka’s new president Ranil Wickremesinghe has formally invited MPs to join an all-party unity government to revive the bankrupt economy by undertaking painful reforms, his office said on Sunday. Wickremesinghe took office earlier this month after public anger over the island nation’s worst economic crisis forced his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country and quit. In a meeting on Saturday with the influential monks of the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, one of Buddhism’s most sacred shrines, Wickremesinghe outlined his plans. “As the president, I wish to start a new journey,” Wickremesinghe was quoted as telling the monks in his first meeting with the powerful Buddhist clergy since taking office. “I would like to get all the parties together and go on that journey as well as to form an all-party government.” He has written to all lawmakers asking them to join a unity government. A former opposition MP, Wickremesinghe, 73, took up the premiership for the sixth tim

Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi on Saturday approved upgrade of emergency wards of all the public hospitals across the province and announced giving free-of-cost medicines to the patients there. He also gave a go-ahead to upgrade the Wazirabad Institute of Cardiology (WIC), increasing the number of beds in the hospital. He was presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Office, which decided to extend the Health Card programme of former prime minister Imran Khan in a further improved manner, said a handout. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Elahi termed it the right of patients to get free medicines in emergencies. Regarding the WIC, he said the number of beds in the institute would be increased up to 400. He added that the shortage of doctors in the institute, especially of anesthesiologists, and paramedics would be overcome immediately and the anesthesiologists would be awarded special allowance to lure them to join the hospital. He sought construction of residences of the

US President Joe Biden again tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday, according to a statement from the White House physician, although he is experiencing no symptoms and feels “quite well.” Biden, who tested positive for the disease nine days ago but then tested negative twice earlier this week, will resume isolation procedures, and his positive test is believed to be “rebound” positivity experienced by some Covid patients, according to White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor. Biden tweeted about his positive case, saying it can happen to a “small minority of folks.” “I've got no symptoms but I am going to isolate for the safety of everyone around me. I’m still at work, and will be back on the road soon,” he tweeted. Folks, today I tested positive for COVID again. This happens with a small minority of folks. I’ve got no symptoms but I am going to isolate for the safety of everyone around me. I’m still at work, and will be back on the road soon. — President Biden (@

A special court in Lahore on Saturday fixed September 7 for the indictment of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, his son Hamza Shahbaz, and others, for their alleged involvement in money laundering of Rs16 billion in the sugar scam case. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) booked Shehbaz and his sons Hamza and Suleman in November 2021 under sections 419, 420, 468, 471, 34 and 109 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and r/w 3/4 of the Anti Money Laundering Act. Suleman Shehbaz is absconding in the UK. During the hearing today, property details of Suleman, who was declared a proclaimed offender in the multi-billion-rupee money laundering case, were submitted in the court. In December 2021, the FIA had submitted the challan against Shehbaz and Hamza before the special court for their alleged involvement in laundering an amount of Rs16 billion in the sugar scam case. According to the FIA report submitted to the court, the investigation team has "detected 28 benami accounts of the

Adriana Brownlee, a 21-year-old British climber, has further improved her record of being the youngest climber to have summited most peaks of over 8,000 metres by scaling K2 — her 10th peak of over 8,000 metres — two more than Pakistan’s Shehroze Kashif. Adriana has also become the youngest ever British climber to summit K2. Her team confirmed that Adriana, along with Gelje Sherpa, summited K2 at 6:30am yesterday. She had attempted to summit the peak with supplementary oxygen but changed the plan.  “She went to C4 without O2 and plan was to summit with no O2 — but overnight snow meant Adri and Gelje had to trailblaze the route from C4 to the summit — so long and difficult,” Adriana’s team informed this correspondent. “Gelje and I were actually going to attempt a summit without O2, however, after reaching 8,000 metres without sleeping, the snow in the night just didn’t stop and it was then impossible for us to trailblaze without O2. But now I know I can do it,” Adri posted on her

Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik said as per law of the land, no political party could get funds from other than Pakistani citizens. “If anyone has to do politics in Pakistan, funds can only be received from Pakistani citizens, not anyone else you cannot take funds from any foreign state or its cabinet member, if taken, it will not only be considered illegal but the party will also be ceased as per Pakistani laws ” he said while addressing a news conference. He said an international newspaper had narrated the story of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s foreign funds, which the party leadership received from Arif Naqvi, chief executive of a foreign company, ‘Abraj Capital’, which was being run with foreigners’ investment. He said Arif Naqvi, working as the ‘fund manager’ of foreign investors, was now facing jail in the United Kingdom on charges of fraudulent activities and for involvement in different ‘black money schemes’. Musadik Malik said a cricket club was established

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday lauded the security forces for carrying out a successful operation against terrorists in district Kech, Balochistan. The prime minister also condoled the death of Havaldar Hidayatullah from Lakki Marwat, who embraced shahadat during the operation. The entire nation saluted the sacrifices of its shuhada, he added. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of Naek Wazir Muhammad who was injured during the operation. On Friday, Inter-Services Public Relations said that security forces killed six terrorists during an operation conducted by security forces in the general area of Hoshab, district Kech of Balochistan. In a brief statement, the military’s media wing said the operation was conducted on information regarding the movement of a terrorist group on motorcycles towards Panjgur from Kech. "Security forces immediately cordoned the area and started a search operation to apprehend the terrorists," the ISPR said, adding that once sur

Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto asserted that Pakistan has no plans of holding any bilateral meeting with India. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, who is currently attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Uzbekistan's capital, on Saturday said that the government was taking measures to improve its ties with all the counties, including the United States. Bilawal held six bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of Central Asian countries on the sidelines of the conference which is being held in connection with preparations for the SCO Heads of State meeting scheduled to be held in September. Bilawal held meetings with his counterparts from Afghanistan, China, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. “There are no plans of any meetings between Indian and Pakistani prime ministers in September,” Bilawal said, adding that both India and Pakistan are part of the SCO and the two countries are only e

Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari on Friday lost the no-confidence motion passed by the provincial assembly, after he annulled 10 votes during the polls, a move which was deemed to be “unconstitutional.” On Friday, after PTI’s Sibtain Khan took charge as the new speaker of the House, former law minister Raja Basharat presented a resolution seeking permission to initiate no-confidence proceedings against Mazari as the deputy speaker. The resolution was approved for voting. After midnight, the voting began in the Punjab Assembly on the no-trust motion against Mazari through a secret ballot in which 186 lawmakers voted against Mazari, bringing his term as the deputy speaker to a premature end. The newly-elected Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan announced the result after vote count. The opposition alliance did not take part in the voting process. via Original Source

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has defended Arif Naqvi, the Pakistani businessman who is facing corruption charges in the United States, as the government criticised PTI Chairperson Imran Khan for receiving funds from the Abraaj Group founder after a damning Financial Times report. As the country awaits the verdict reserved by the Election Commission of Pakistan into the PTI's prohibited funding, an expose by the Financial Times has blown the lid off Pakistani tycoon Arif Naqvi's involvement in the party's finances and how a significant portion of its funding in 2013 was of foreign origin. According to the report, "Naqvi transferred three instalments directly to the PTI in 2013, adding up to a total of $2.12 million". In response, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry asked local media not to portray "our people as villains", as when a Pakistani Muslim's influence crosses a certain benchmark, it is not welcomed by the "Israeli lobby"

Federal Education Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain says the government is working to improve education standard in the country in accordance with international standard. Talking to media persons in Karachi on Friday, the Minister said a new system of training for teachers is being introduced. Rana Tanveer Hussain said Higher Education Commission has been asked to introduce Ranking for universities at national level. He said skill based education will help youth to get job opportunities abroad. The Minister said all education boards are being linked for integrated policies and steps are being taken to increase enrollment. via Original Source

Provincial Disaster Management Authority has issued alert for high flood in Chenab river. The high flood in the river is expected at at Marala Headworks in Sialkot district, Khanki headworks in Gujranwala district and Qadirabad headworks in Mandi Bahauddin district within next 24 to 48 hours, PDMA has warned. The PDMA has advised all concerned departments to get completely prepared to tackle any emergency situation. The authority has also advised for cancellation of the leaves of staff and getting heavy machinery prepared to tackle any contingency. Flood Forecasting Division has reported that water flow in River Chenab at Akhnor has reached 273,950 cusec and is rising continuously. All relevant departments have been directed to remain alert and complete their preparation. PDMA has advised all the authorities concerned to take all-out measures for evacuation of people. via Original Source

The election for the Punjab Assembly speaker will be held today. Tough contest is expected between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz . PTI and PML-Q have jointly fielded Sibtain Khan whereas Malik Saif ul Malook Khokhar of PML-N is the opposition’s candidate. Meanwhile, no confidence against Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Mir Dost Muhammad Mazari was also moved on Thursday and voting in this regard is also expected today. Parliamentary Leader in the Provincial Assembly Raja Bisharat submitted no-confidence motion against Dost Muhammad Mazari, which was passed by the house’s majority. via Original Source

National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf accepted the resignations of 11 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members exactly 109 days after they resigned from their seats. The NA speaker accepted the resignations of several key PTI leaders, including former human rights minister Shireen Mazari, ex-interior minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah, ex-state minister for parliamentary affairs Ali Muhammad Khan and ex-state minister for information and broadcasting Farrukh Habib. The other PTI lawmakers whose resignations have been accepted are Fazal Muhammad Khan, Shaukat Ali, Fakhar Zaman Khan, Jamil Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Akram Cheema, Abdul Shakoor Shad and Shandana Gulzar Khan. Mazari and Shandana were elected on the reserved seats for women from Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, respectively. All of the lawmakers had resigned on April 11 when former premier Imran Khan was being ousted through a no-confidence motion by the then united opposition and the incumbent ruling alliance. اسپیکر قومی اسمبلی @RPA

Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned his US counterpart Joe Biden against “playing with fire” over Taiwan, as the pair held their fifth call as leaders at a time of simmering economic and geopolitical tensions. International media reported that Xi told Biden that the United States should abide by the “one-China principle” and stressed that China firmly opposed Taiwanese independence and “interference” by external forces. According to international media The White House said in a statement that Biden told Xi that US policy had not changed and Washington “strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait”. Most recently, Beijing has issued escalating warnings over a potential visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying it would view such a trip as a provocation. The self-governing island receives informal defensive support from the US, but Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not

When Imran Khan first came to power, he repeatedly lamented the insufficient political space to pursue his promised agenda. PTI was new to governance and struggled to find direction. This found comparisons with other governance models mostly bordering on unchecked power and singular control. The closest we come to it in a democracy is the presidential form but it sits against the ethos of a parliamentary governance model — more popularly accepted given our peculiar political environment. Legislation and parliamentary support for substantial reform stood unattended and PTI’s agenda remained undelivered. That was the moment to return to the electorate for a new mandate through a snap, mid-term or early election. He dithered and stalled till the chips fell. And then it was too late. Today the nation and the state is at a cross-road and most paths lead out to further disaster than seen in the last six months. It may be politics to those engaged in it but it spells life and death for a nati

Former president Asif Ali Zardari has tested positive for Covid-19 with mild symptoms, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto said Thursday. Sharing the news on his Twitter handle, Bilawal said that the party's co-chairman was not only vaccinated but had also received booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine. "He is fully vaccinated, boosted, isolating with mild symptoms and undergoing treatment. We are praying for his swift recovery," Bilawal added. President Zardari has tested positive for Covid. He is fully vaccinated, boosted, isolating with mild symptoms and undergoing treatment. We are praying for his swift recovery. — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) July 28, 2022 via Original Source

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority approved a Rs9.89 per unit hike in the electricity tariff. According to details, the Nepra heard the request of Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) for increasing the electricity tariff on account of the monthly fuel-cost adjustment for the month of June. After the approval, the electricity consumers will have to bear a burden of Rs1.33 billion. Earlier, the Nepra also approved a Rs11.37 per unit increase in the electricity tariff for the K-Electric consumers. The Nepra allowed the K-Electric to increase the electricity tariff on account of the monthly fuel cost adjustment for the month of June. The increase in the power tariff will not be applied to the life-line consumers of the K-Electric. via Original Source

Dollar soared to a new high in the interbank market due to political uncertainty in the country and was traded at Rs240 on Thursday. The rupee lost 3.98 during the intraday trade. The local unit closed at 236.02 per dollar on Wednesday, falling by 1.31% during the session. In the international market, the dollar is strengthening against all other world currencies, and the rupee is no exception. Even though imports are reducing, Pakistan’s external account concerns have not yet been resolved. Although the IMF has agreed to disburse a $1.2 billion loan disbursement, the inflows have not yet occurred because the executive board’s final approval is still pending.   via Original Source

Pakistan on Thursday decided not to compete in the 44th Chess Olympiad being hosted in India as a protest against what it calls Delhi's "mischievous attempt" to link sports and politics. According to a statement released by the Foreign Office, "Pakistan will also discuss the matter with the International Chess Federation [FIDE] at the highest level." Pakistan was invited by the FIDE to participate in the 44th Chess Olympiad scheduled to be held in Chennai, India, from July 28 to August 10. A Pakistani contingent was already training for this event. The Foreign Office said, “Regrettably, India has chosen to politicise this prestigious international sporting event by passing the torch relay of this event through the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)."   The torch relay passed through Srinagar on June 21. The FO said by passing the torch relay through IIOJK, in utter disregard of the globally acknowledged “disputed” status of the territory, I

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that all state organs should act within the domains stipulated by constitution for a smooth and effective working of democratic system. In a tweet on Thursday, he said it was also the core of his argument during the speech at the National Assembly. Shehbaz Sharif said we will be moving in a circle getting nowhere without understanding it.  The core of my argument during my speech at NA was that for a democratic system to work smoothly & effectively, it is important that all state organs act within the domains stipulated by Constitution. Without understanding this, we will be moving in a circle, getting nowhere. — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 28, 2022 via Original Source

As a country, we are teetering on the precipice of economic, political, and social disaster. And yet, the military-industrial complex continues to thrive, elite capture remains elusive, and the juggernaut of divisive politics continues to cause fissures in our cultural zeitgeist. A colossal amount of black money — Pakistan’s illegitimate parallel economy — remains unseen, unreported and untaxed. Whether we are a police officer or a judge, a petty officer or a general, a building contractor or a factory owner, we continue to lie, cheat and defraud others and our country on our way to achieving our goals. Our economy and our morality both are on the cusp of default. As a society, we cannot stoop lower. If there is one trait that defines political leadership like none other, it is narcissism. In our frenzied political landscape, knocking at the door of the Supreme Court has become an obsessive-compulsive ritual. If our politicians don’t get what they want, they are quick to approach the h

Pakistan reported another wild poliovirus case in the North Waziristan district, taking this year’s overall tally to 14, the Ministry of Health confirmed on Wednesday. Following the virus paralysing another child in North Waziristan, the district’s tally reached 13, while the only case apart from the area has been reported from Lakki Marwat which was registered last week. The Pakistan Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health said that the eight monthold girl who is the fresh victim was suffering from polio induced disabilities. All the 14 cases, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination said, were reported in children under two years of age.   via Original Source

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that any ban on his or other ministers’ entry into Punjab would lead to governor rule in the country’s most powerful province. Sanaullah warned of imposing governor's rule in Punjab after the Supreme Court removed Hamza Shahbaz as the chief minister and instated Imran Khan-backed Pervez Elahi to the top office. "The summary to impose governor's rule is being drafted, and I personally have started work on it," Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah told a press conference. The interior minister said if his entry into Punjab is banned, it might lead to the imposition of the governor's rule in Pakistan's most populated province as PTI leaders had suggested prohibiting his entry in Punjab. The interior minister’s statement came in response to reporters’ query over the new Punjab government’s apparent plans to impose an embargo on a few federal ministers including Rana Sanaullah in an effort to pressurise the federal government

The conducts of our political leaders, betraying lack of sense of responsibility and going at any length to stay in power, provide a living example of why nations fail. Not that Pakistan has a history of clean politics but the present crisis especially in Punjab is extremely serious and is taking place when global and regional conditions are pitched against us. More consequential is the fact that the country’s economy is in dire straits and the government is desperately seeking IMF and friendly countries to bail it out. Instead of focusing on the best use of scarce resources to satisfy the needs of the people, mismanagement is making matters worse. History seems to be repeating itself as both PTI and the PML-N-led coalition are seeking the support of the army leadership and putting pressure on the judiciary to tilt verdicts in their favour. Whatever tactics the government may employ to stay in power in Punjab and at the Center will only add to the misery of the silent majority, and str

Hours after the Supreme Court struck down Punjab Assembly deputy speaker’s ruling, President Dr Arif Alvi administered the oath of Punjab chief minister to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi at the President House. Earlier, it was decided to host the swearing-in ceremony at the Governor House but to the Punjab governor's dismay, the ceremony was shifted to President House, Islamabad following his refusal to administer oath. Elahi reached Islamabad at 1am on Wednesday morning to take the oath of office via a special flight from Lahore. Elahi was declared the chief minister elect by a Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday, which said that he should take oath of office by 11:30pm. The ruling said that if the Punjab governor did not administer the oath, Elahi would be sworn in by the president. On the journey from Lahore, Elahi was accompanied by Zain Qureshi, Mian Mahmoodur Rashid, Murad Ras and Chaudhry Wajahat. via Original Source

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne batted through pain to help the hosts stretch their overall lead to 323 runs and boost their chances of a series-levelling victory in the second test against Pakistan on Tuesday. The hosts were 176-5 when bad light stopped play on day three with Karunaratne on 27 and Dhananjaya de Silva on 30. Having conceded a lead of 147, Pakistan claimed four wickets in the second session but the 59-run stand between Karunaratne and de Silva put Sri Lanka in a strong position. Earlier, Ramesh Mendis claimed 5-47, his third five-wicket haul in tests, as Sri Lanka bowled out Pakistan for 231 to secure a significant lead. Resuming on 191-7, Yasir Shah and Hasan Ali batted resolutely to deny Sri Lanka any breakthrough in the first hour. Once Prabath Jayasuriya (3-80) removed Hasan, however, Sri Lanka did not take long to polish off the Pakistan tail with Mendis dismissing Nauman Ali and Yasir. Yasir faced 97 balls for his 26 and was the last man out. Sri Lan

After 31 years, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission (AJ&K EC) will hold local government elections in the month of September on party basis. This was announced by the Chief Election Commissioner CEC Justice Retd Abdul Rasheed Sulehria on Tuesday along with AJ&K EC members Farooq Niaz and Farhat Ali Mir while addressing the media. "The apex court of AJ&K has given us a deadline to conduct polls before October 12, 2022 however, we are ready to conduct them in the month of September this year," said CEC Justice Retd Sulehria. Senior Member AJ&K EC Farooq Niaz said that all arrangements have been completed to ensure impartial local bodies polls aimed at shifting the power to the people at the grassroots level. "Real beauty of democracy lies in the local government system where people have access at Union Council level to get their civic problems solved." “We are also supporting giving funds according to the population at all UCs to condu

A high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Tuesday reviewed the current reserves of wheat in the country. The meeting was informed that the current wheat production in the country was estimated at 26.389 million metric tons while the previous year's reserves were 1.806 MMT. The total reserves are 28.199 million metric tons against the total national demand of 30.79 million metric tons. The meeting was further informed that under the government's agreement with Russia, progress is being made on the import of two million metric tons of wheat, which is in the final stages. The meeting decided to import wheat in a timely manner through the Economic Coordination Committee to eliminate the gap between demand and reserves. Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over the lack of comprehensive planning regarding wheat reserves over the last four years. He said it is sad that in an agricultural country l

China has reiterated its commitment to work with Pakistan to push forward all CPEC projects in a safe, smooth, and high-quality manner, to better benefit the two countries and their people. The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian, during his regular briefing in Beijing said China is ready to follow through on the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries in this regard. He said China and Pakistan have agreed on participation of third parties in CPEC and exchanges among media and think tanks, including promoting cooperation schemes involving third parties in line with the existing consensus and extending CPEC projects to Afghanistan. Meanwhile, in a tweet, Pakistan's Ambassador to China Moin-ul-Haque said the third meeting of CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation placed emphasis on high-quality development of CPEC. He said as an open and inclusive platform, both sides welcomed interested third parties to benefit from avenues

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa disaster management authorities have issued a warning to take preventative action against flooding before opening the spillway of Tarbela Dam to flush out extra water and make room for fresh inflow. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a warning that the spillway gates of the dam would be opened in the following 24 hours due to rising water levels, which could result in a lower-level flood in the Indus River. It asked the district administrations in Swabi, Haripur and Nowshera to adopt precautionary measures for the safety of life and property. The current water inflow in Tarbela Dam was recorded at 243,000 cusecs while the outflow was 136,800, adding that the water level at the dam had surged to 1,511 feet. The authority also asked people residing alongside the banks of the Indus River to stay vigilant and observe water’s flow in the river, advising them to relocate their animals and essential household items to safer places in case o

Rescue and Relief operations are underway in rain affected areas of Karachi and civic agencies are busy in draining stagnant rain water from low-lying areas. According to media reports staff of different departments including local bodies is busy in ensuring cleanliness in affected areas. Most of the roads and areas have been cleared by civic agencies by using machinery and de-watering pumps. Meanwhile complete ban has been imposed by commissioner Karachi on swimming in the sea due to on-going rains and high tides in the sea. via Original Source

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on PML-Q leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s petition challenging the deputy speaker’s ruling in the recently held re-election for the Punjab chief minister, which led to Hamza Shehbaz’s victory. A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and Justices Ijazul Ahsan and Munib Akhtar is expected to announce the decision today evening. Earlier today, the counsel for Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari, Irfan Qadir, informed the Supreme Court that his client had instructed him not to participate further in the case proceedings and he would instead file a petition for review of the court’s decision not to constitute a full bench. PPP counsel Farooq H. Naek also declined to participate in the court proceedings. However, they both stayed in the courtroom and watched the proceedings. During the election, Mazari had decided against counting the votes of 10 PML-Q lawmakers, which were cast in

Pakistan has reported 371 new Covid-19 cases and one death from the novel virus in past 24 hours. According to the National Institute of Health a total 13,439 tests were conducted on Monday and the positivity ratio remained 2.76%. One hundred and eighty four patients are in critical care. COVID-19 Statistics 26 July 2022 Total Tests in Last 24 Hours: 13,439 Positive Cases: 371 Positivity %: 2.76% Deaths: 01 Patients on Critical Care: 184 — NIH Pakistan (@NIH_Pakistan) July 26, 2022 via Original Source

Leaders of the coalition government announced to boycott the court’s proceedings after the Supreme Court rejected the plea seeking the formation of a full court bench in petitions related to the Punjab chief minister’s re-election. The coalition parties opted to boycott the court’s proceeding after a three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, and Justice Munib Akhtar turned down the government’s request for constituting a full court to hear the pleas regarding election of the Chief Minister of Punjab. The PDM chief said that they would not appear before this bench for this case and will boycott it. “If the full court is rejected, we also reject this decision of the judiciary, we will not appear before this bench and we will boycott the case,” he added. Fazl said that the coalition govt did not want any interference in its affairs that impacts the administrative functioning, adding that the incumbent government, given mandate by the people,

As persistent rains wreak havoc in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday appreciated the efforts of formations in relief operations to mitigate the challenges of people affected due to floods and heavy rainfall in the country, the military said in a statement. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief expressed these remarks during the 249th Corps Commanders’ Conference held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. The ISPR said that the forum took a comprehensive review of the security situation with a particular focus on the border and internal security. The COAS lauded successful ongoing counter-terrorism operations and paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of officers and men to ensure the security of borders and the safety of the masses. The statement said that General Bajwa also appreciated the efforts of formations in relief operations to mitigate the challenges of people affecte

A volcano on Japan's major western island of Kyushu, called Sakurajima, erupted at about 8:05 p.m. (1105 GMT) on Sunday, the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) said, but media said there were no immediate reports of damage. "Eruptions are continuing, with another massive one reported early on Monday morning. Volcanic smoke reached a height of 2,200 meters (7,218 feet)," the weather officials said. There were reports of volanic stones raining down at a distance of 2.5 km (1.5 miles) from the volcano, NHK public television had earlier said, adding that the eruption alert level had been raised to 5, the highest, with some areas advised to evacuate. Sakurajima is one of Japan's most active volcanoes and eruptions of varying levels take place on a regular basis. In 2019 it spewed ash 5.5 km (3.4 miles) high. Video footage from Sunday's eruption showed what appeared to be a red mass flowing down one side of the volcano, with red projectiles shooting out while sm