Oman Arab Bank launches $250 million debut bond deal

Oman Arab Bank was set to raise $250 million on Thursday in its first foray in the international debt markets with an Additional Tier 1 perpetual bond issue, a document showed.

The bank launched the bonds at a yield of 7.625% after initial price guidance in the low 8% range for the AT1 bonds after it received more than $1.1 billion in orders, the document from one of the banks on the deal showed.

AT1 bonds are at the higher end of the risk spectrum of bank debt issues. They are perpetual in nature but issuers can redeem them after a specified period. Oman Arab Bank’s bonds will be non-callable (redeemable) for five years.

The deal is the latest in a series of AT1 bond issues from the oil-rich Gulf this year, as banks take advantage of low interest rates to bolster their Tier 1 capital after the region’s economies were hit by the double shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s historic slide in oil prices.

Emirates NBD Capital, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Kamco Invest, Standard Chartered Bank and Ubhar Capital are arranged the deal.

Oman Arab Bank issued AT1 bonds denominated in Omani rials in 2016 and 2018.

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Pandemic won’t be over until 70% are vaccinated: WHO

The WHO’s European director warned Friday that the Covid-19 pandemic won’t be over until at least 70 percent of people are vaccinated, while deploring that the vaccine rollout in Europe is still “too slow”.

“The pandemic will be over once we reach 70 percent minimum coverage in vaccination,” the World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe Hans Kluge told AFP in an interview.

Kluge also said that one of his main worries was the increased contagiousness of new variants of the novel coronavirus.

“We know for example that the B.1617 (Indian variant) is more transmissible than the B.117 (British variant), which already was more transmissible than the previous strain,” Kluge said.

According to the Belgian doctor, speed is “of essence” in pandemic.

“Even when WHO declared a pandemic, many countries were still waiting, we lost valuable time.”

While the regional director, who has held the position since February 2020, lauded calls for solidarity he stressed that a speedy rollout of vaccines was of the utmost importance.

“Our best friend is speed, the time is working against us, the vaccination roll-out still goes too slow,” Kluge said.

“We need to accelerate, we need to enlarge the number of vaccines.”

In the 53 countries and territories that make up the WHO’s European region — including several in Central Asia — 26 percent of the population has received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

In the European Union, 36.6 percent of the population has received at least one dose, according to a count by AFP.

The number of new daily Covid-19 cases around the world dropped by 13 percent to 554,200, according to an AFP toll.

The number of daily cases had fallen by half over a month at the beginning of the year to around 355,000, but started to spiral higher again on February 20. The number of cases then began to drop four weeks ago.

Europe accounted for the biggest slow down, with its number of cases this week falling by almost a quarter, or 24 percent.

The biggest drop was in Sweden by 51 percent to 1,900 new cases per day. Poland followed with 47 percent less, Germany 41 percent less, Ukraine 33 percent less and Switzerland 33 percent less.

The number of confirmed cases only reflects a fraction of the actual number of infections, with different countries also having varying counting practices and levels of testing.

Despite the overall improvement in Europe, the UK was the country where the pandemic picked up most speed, with 74 percent more cases or 2,600 per day.

The Covid variant which emerged in India, which is feared to be particularly contagious, accounted for between half and three quarters of the new cases, according to the UK government.

Bahrain followed with 55 percent more cases, Bangladesh 50 percent more, Kuwait 46 percent more and Malaysia 43 percent more.

India also continued to mourn the most deaths, with 4,016 per day, followed by Brazil 1,797, the US (661), Colombia (494) and Argentina (491).

At the world level the number of deaths dropped by six percent this week to 11,563 per day.

However, the World Health Organization believes that as many as three times more people have died because of the pandemic than official figures suggest.

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Syria’s Bashar al-Assad re-elected for 4th term

Bashar al-Assad has been re-elected for a fourth term as president of Syria, official results showed on Thursday, despite Western accusations the polls were “neither free nor fair”.

The parliamentary speaker announced Thursday that Assad garnered 95.1 percent of the votes cast, trouncing two virtually unknown challengers.

Standing against him were former state minister Abdallah Salloum Abdallah and Mahmud Merhi, a member of the so-called “tolerated opposition”, long dismissed by exiled opposition leaders as an extension of the regime.

On the eve of the election, the US, Britain, France, Germany and Italy said the poll was “neither free nor fair”, and Syria s fragmented opposition has called it a “farce”.

But few doubted that Assad, a 55-year-old ophthalmologist by training, would be re-elected.

In the last multi-candidate poll in 2014, Assad won 88 percent of the vote.

Huge election posters glorifying Assad had mushroomed across the two-thirds of the country under his control in the lead-up to Wednesday s poll.

Before the election results were announced, tens of thousands of Syrians gathered Thursday in various cities to celebrate, waving Syrian flags and carrying pictures of Assad, state media reported.

The festivities broke out after the election committee, quoted by local TV, said that “the ballot counting process has been completed in the majority of Syrian provinces”.

“Tens of thousands of people in Tartus province gathered at the city s seafront to celebrate” Assad s expected win, according to state news agency SANA.

Some danced and beat drums, footage broadcast by Syrian television showed.

Thousands of other Syrians rallied in the coastal city of Latakia and in Umayyad Square in the capital Damascus, which along with Tartus and Latakia are bastions of the regime.

Celebrations were also underway in Aleppo and in Sweida, in Syria s south, where a crowd gathered in front of city hall, state media said.

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Pakistan never paid attention to exports, laments PM Imran Khan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday lamented that Pakistan never paid attention to exports, adding that it was very difficult to increase a country's wealth without them.

The premier was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Rashkai Special Economic Zone being developed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

"If you aren't increasing your exports, then the country's wealth will never increase," he lamented, adding that selling wheat and other products will not make Pakistan wealthy alone.

He said Pakistan should learn from the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) set up by China. He labelled the Rashkai Special Economic Zone a "big opportunity", stressing on authorities to create ease of doing business for investors.

"The more hurdles you remove for investors, the more investors will arrive here [in Pakistan]," he said, adding that Pakistan had not been an "investor-friendly country".

He said investors were always attracted by prospects of making profits and that was not possible without governments taking steps to ensure ease of doing business.

PM Khan said his government was focusing its efforts on removing hurdles from investors' paths, adding that Pakistan has the potential to become an "attractive destination" for businessmen.

The prime minister regretted how Pakistani investors were setting up businesses in Bangladesh, Malaysia and other countries. He said this phenomena was due to the fact that in Pakistan, the government does not remove hurdles for investors.

"We send them [investors] to this office or that office," he said, lamenting how investors were not treated like VIPs. "The biggest VIP here should be the one who creates employment opportunities for others," he added, as the audience erupted into applause.

The prime minister recalled the difficult time for his government when the PTI was elected to power a little over two years ago. He said Pakistan was on the brink of default, adding that the starting 1.5-year period of his prime ministership was the most challenging part of his life.

The premier said when Pakistan was pulling itself out of the economic crisis, the coronavirus shuttered businesses around the world and had an adverse impact on various countries' economies.

"We should raise our hands and profusely thank Allah," he said, adding that Pakistan had not suffered the same fate as other countries had, where millions were unemployed and thousands had died.

He praised the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) adding that the think tank was closely following the coronavirus situation in the country.

He praised his government's decision not to impose a coronavirus lockdown, adding that the poor would have "died from hunger" and Pakistan "would have suffered a fate similar to India".

He hit out at the Opposition, adding that they were "shocked" to see the country's economy improving all of a sudden.

"Let me remind them [Opposition] that I was the captain who introduced neutral umpires in cricket," the prime minister said, adding that he would not give up easily in reforming the country.

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Senior US diplomat lauds Islamabad's 'sincere efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region'

Senior US diplomat in Pakistan Angela Aggeler on Friday lauded Islamabad for its "sincere efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region, especially the Afghan peace process".

US Chargé d’affaires Aggeler had called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi today.

"During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, overall regional security situation including recent developments in Afghan peace process and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed" said a statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

This is the US diplomat's second meeting with Gen Bajwa in a month.

Earlier this month, she had called on Gen Bajwa to discuss several matters of mutual interest between Pakistan and the United States.

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4.8% GDP growth expected next fiscal year: Asad

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said Friday Pakistan's gross domestic product (GDP) growth was expected to hit 4.8% in the financial year 2021-2022.

Highlighting the achievements of the government during a press conference in Islamabad, Umar said in the nine months of the current fiscal year, IT exports showed growth of 46%.

Umar said the country had "witnessed a strong growth" during the fiscal year, and it is expected that the remittances would shoot up from $21.7 billion to $29.1 billion till the year end — an increase of 34% in a year.

The federal minister said if we combine the 3.94% GDP growth and the increase in remittances, it will take the gross national product (GNP) growth to 6.5% — the "highest" GNP growth in the last 16 years.

Umar said remittances played an important role in helping the country's economy grow, and it is important that we should give overseas Pakistanis the right to vote.

Shedding light on why the government is expecting a 4.8% GDP growth in FY22, he said that the government has invested in the agricultural sector which will greatly benefit the economy.

He said last year and this year cotton fields were badly affected, however, the government has now bought good quality seeds, stressed on the use of pesticides, and the demand for cotton has increased in the international market since.

"And so, after consultations with all the provinces, we have concluded that Pakistan can produce 10.5 million bales — 4 million from Sindh, 6 million from Punjab, and the rest from other provinces."

Umar said that the livestock industry had also been adversely impacted by coronavirus, but in the next fiscal year, it will move towards normalisation, and growth in this sector, too, will be visible.

The federal minister said electricity consumption was expected to grow by 6%, and after the government had announced a package for the industries, their power consumption had gone up 15% during the current fiscal — and in the next year, it is predicted to rise further.

Growth is also expected in gas, coal, construction, and among several other sectors. "Exports are predicted to go up. This year it stood at $25.2 billion, and in the next year, it will move up to $26.8 billion."

The federal minister said this year's $25.2 billion worth of exports were the country's highest figures in the last 10 years. "It is unfortunate that the backbone of the economy, exports faced several setbacks during the previous year."

Umar said next year's target for exports, $26.8 billion, would be the highest in the country's history.

The remittances might not grow like this year, but they are expected to move up from $29.1 billion to $31.3 billion — an expected increase of $2 billion.

Umar said the government was aiming at taking up the exports and expanding the IT sector, he said, adding: "The IT exports increased by 46%.

The Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) stood at Rs650 billion this year, and the government has increased it to Rs900 billion for the next fiscal year — a "huge" increase of Rs250 billion.

The federal minister said growth during the current fiscal year indicates that in the next fiscal year, the growth will be more than expected.

Giving an overview of the development spending for the next fiscal year, Umar said these envisage road infrastructure projects including Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway.

Giving an overview of the development spending for the next fiscal year, Umar said these envisage road infrastructure projects including the Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway.

The packages announced for Karachi, and select districts of Sindh and Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan will be financed from the PSDP, the federal minister said.

Similarly, funds will be provided from the development plan for the construction of dams. Rs28 billion will be allocated for health, Rs37 billion for the Higher Education Commission, and Rs5 billion have also been set aside for the skills education programme.

The planning minister said the current account deficit for the next fiscal year has been estimated at 0.07%.

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Trade with Afghanistan through Torkham remained suspended on the third consecutive day

Trade with Afghanistan through Torkham remained suspended on the third consecutive day on Thursday as Khugakhel tribesmen continued their protest and blockade of the main road leading to the border crossing.

Afghan nationals aspiring to return to their country were, however, provided with an alternative route via Charbagh area to reach Torkham as part of a good-well gesture by the protesters as the travellers also included women, children and elderly people.

Mufti Ejaz and Mirajuddin Khan, the elders of Khugakhel, told journalists at the protest site that their protest would continue till signing of a mutually agreed accord regarding fulfilment of their four major demands with concrete guarantees from the regional security officials.

The Khugakhel tribesmen, being the collective owners of the land leased out for the construction of modern customs terminal at Torkham, had long been pushing for payment of the price of the additional land the National Logistic Cell (NLC) had off late acquired for the terminal, share in the monthly profit from the terminal and adequate share in jobs for the youth of the tribe.

Both Mufti Ejaz and Mirajuddin said that Federal Board of Revenue, with whom they had earlier signed an agreement regarding lease of their land in 2016, and NLC had committed to sign a new agreement regarding acceptance of their demands in February but later they backtracked on their promise and they were compelled to resort to protest.

Meanwhile, scores of representatives of various political parties and local tribal and religious leaders visited the site of the protest near Landi Kotal bazaar and extended support to the protesting Khugakhel tribesmen and called upon the officials concerned to help resolve the issue.

No negotiations between the Khugakhel elders and government officials were held on Thursday while the day also remained peaceful as police avoided taking any action against the protesters.

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PM Imran to directly interact with public via telephone on May 30

Prime Minister Imran Khan will interact with the general public via telephone for the fourth time on May 30.

Taking to Twitter, Senator Faisal Javed said that the prime minister will directly interact with the public for the fourth time at 3:00 pm on May 30 in a series of direct discussions via telephone under the banner of ‘Aap ka Wazir-e-Azam Aap kai Sath’ [Your Prime Minister is With You].
He said that the interaction would be broadcasted on television, radio and digital platforms as people could reach out to the prime minister via telephone number 051-9224900.

In the previous interaction, the prime minister besides directing to resolve issues raised by the general public said that the COVID cases in the country are witnessing a stabilizing effect and urged the public to adopt COVID SOPs during Eid in order to avoid an India-like situation.

“The more we adopt precautionary measures, the sooner we will be able to come out of this situation,” Imran Khan said adding that during his visit to PIMs, doctors conveyed that the COVID cases have stabilized and are not following an upward trajectory now.

Responding to a query of a caller, the Prime Minister categorically stated that Pakistan will not hold talks with India until it rescinds the illegal steps of 5th August 2019.

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Centre and Sindh will together fight the menace of bandits in the province: Sheikh Rasheed

Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said the Centre and Sindh will together fight the menace of bandits in the province.

Addressing a press conference here, he said: “I held a meeting with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah this morning, wherein it was decided that the Cetnre and province will together deal with bandits.”

Sheikh Rasheed said the Sindh government can utilize the Rangers’ services wherever it wants in the province. “We are ready to provide the Rangers for the entire province if the Sindh government desires so,” he added.

He said bandits involved in kidnapping for ransom and murders will be booked under the terrorism law.

“We are ready to provide drones to the police,” the interior minister said in a reference to the chief minister’s demand for provision of air support and sensitive equipment for the anti-bandit operation.

“We will not rest until the dacoit rule is eliminated,” he vowed. Though, the Sindh government wants to tackle the Shikarpur situation on its own, the Rangers have been put on alert, he added.

Referring to rumours about the possible imposition of a governor’s rule in Sindh, Rasheed said neither did he discus the governor’s rule with the chief minister nor Prime Minister Imran Khan wanted to interfere in Sindh’s affairs.

Earlier today, Sheikh Rasheed met with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The two discussed the prevailing law and order situation in the province as well as the ongoing anti-bandit operation in Shikarpur at length. The interior secretary, Sindh chief secretary and provincial police chief were also in attendance in the meeting.

He assured Murad of extending all possible cooperation saying the Rangers are at the provincial government’s disposal and it can utilize the services of the paramilitary force for the anti-dacoit operation. He asked the CM to book bandits under terrorism clauses.

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ATC: Witnesses identify Uzair Baloch in nine cases

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) resumed on Thursday hearing nine cases against Lyari gang war kingpin Uzair Baloch.

Baloch and nine witnesses, all policemen, appeared before the court as it resumed hearing.

During the hearing, the witnesses picked out Uzair Baloch before the court. The accused had attacked the police personnel during the Lyari operation, witnesses testified.

Adjourning the case until June 9, the court directed the prosecution side to present more witnesses on next hearing.

The nine cases registered at different police stations pertain to an attack on a police team and possession of explosives and illicit arms.

On May 20, jail officials failed to produce Uzair Baloch in court in a case pertaining to police encounter and attempt to murder. The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Karachi South received a letter from the senior superintendent jail over the matter.

“There are security concerns with regard to producing Uzair Baloch in the city court,” the jail official said in the letter. “The hearing of all other cases against him being conducted at the central jail,” the letter read.

The Judge ordered the jail authority to produce the accused or a government notification with regard to jail trial in the next hearing of the case. The court adjourned further hearing of the case till May 31.

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Qaim Ali Shah appeared before NAB in PSM land case

Former Sindh chief minister Qaim Ali Shah on Thursday appeared before National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) land case.

The NAB’s Rawalpindi office on Wednesday had asked Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), senior leader, to appear before the joint investigation team of the NAB on Thursday (today).

Talking to journalists, after appearing before the NAB, Qaim Ali Shah said DC and the commissioner were enjoying powers in the land case, in which he was summoned.

“Was asked to amend the law, but I rejected,” Shah said and added that the NAB has not given him any questionnaire neither gave another date for the appearance.

Replying to a reunion with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the PPP leader said that the party has yet not decided in this context.

The decision about rejoining PDM will be taken by the committee.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed the reference against former chief minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah in 2012.

According to the reference, the accused had embezzled funds in the award of contracts, causing a loss of over Rs13 million to the Pakistan Steel Mills.

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You’re over 19 years? Sign up for Covid-19 vaccination

The government started registering citizens aged 19 and above for vaccination against Covid-19 from today (Thursday).

People in the age bracket of 19 to 30 years can register themselves by sending their CNIC number to 1166.

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) in yesterday’s meeting decided to open vaccine registration for all people having Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs).
Around 39 million people will benefit from the decision, according to a report.

On Wednesday, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar, who also heads the NCOC, tweeted: “In today’s NCOC meeting we decided to open up vaccination registration for all 19 years and above.”

“This registration will start from tomorrow. So now registration will be open for the entire national population which is approved by health experts for covid vaccination,” he said.
The NCOC decision to register people aged 19 and above for vaccination came four days after it allowed vaccination of citizens aged 30 and above against Covid-19

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Several citizens fined for not wearing face masks in Karachi

Amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Karachi, the district administration has decided to impose heavy fines on the citizens who do not wear face masks in the city.

The administration of district South in an announcement said that it would set up cases and impose fines under the Epidemic Act against citizens who found violating corona SOPs.

The deputy commissioner visited various areas of the southern district and fined more than 30 citizens for not wearing masks.

The deputy commissioner fined the owners of Burns Road, Clifton, President, Defense bakery, Malik Shop, restaurants for seeing the staff without masks.

The deputy commissioner directed the owners of restaurants, bakeries and country shops to make their staff wear masks and enforce SOPs.
He clarified that no concessions would be made to those who did not wear face masks and heavy fines would be imposed on them.

The deputy commissioner said that seven shops were sealed for violation of SOPs and lockdown while a case was also registered against one shop owner.

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Sun to align with Holy Kaaba today, at 14:18 Pakistan time

The sun will align with the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Thursday (today) at 14:18 Pakistan Standard Time (PST) and 12:18 Saudi time.

The disc of the sun will be positioned immediately over the Kaaba and it will lose its shadow for a brief time, said Majed Abu Zahra, head of the Jeddah’s Astronomical Society.

The celestial phenomenon called “zero shadow” occurs twice every year at the Grand Mosque because of its location between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer. The holy structure loses its shadow for some time during this phenomenon.

Due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis, the sun travels at 23.5 degrees north and south of the celestial equator. The sun falls directly overhead on places lying over the equator during the equinox.

“People can determine the exact direction of the holy Kaaba by placing a wooden stick vertically in the ground; the direction of the Qibla will be the exact opposite to the stick’s shadow,” Abu Zahra added.

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UNGA president arrives in Islamabad on three-day official visit

ISLAMABAD: President of the United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkir Wednesday reached Pakistan on a three-day official visit.

On his arrival at the airport, the UNGA president was received by senior officials of the foreign ministry, the UN Representative in Islamabad and Turkish Ambassador Mustafa Yurdakul.
“After an important and fruitful official visit to Bangladesh, I arrived in Islamabad for my official visit to Pakistan. I look forward to my important meetings tomorrow in Islamabad,” Volkan Bozkir said in his tweet.
The Foreign Office while detailing the visit said that the UNGA president is undertaking a visit from 26-28 May 2021 to Pakistan at the invitation of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

During his stay in Islamabad, Bozkir will have detailed talks with the foreign minister and call on the leadership. The interactions will cover a wide range of political and socio-economic issues on the UN agenda. Mr. Bozkir will also deliver a talk on the “Importance of Multilateralism.”

Volkan Bozkir is the first Turkish national to preside over the UN General Assembly. He is a former diplomat and a senior politician. Following his 39-year long illustrious diplomatic career in the Turkish Foreign Service, Bozkir was elected thrice as a member of the Turkish Parliament and has served as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee and Minister for E.U. Affairs.

He also visited Pakistan in August 2020 before taking up the prestigious position of President of the UN General Assembly, the Foreign Office said while sharing the details.

The FO spokesman said that the visit of the UNGA president would lend an opportunity to showcase Pakistan’s active contributions to multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations in international affairs.

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'Not answerable to Maryam or Nawaz': Bilawal

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Wednesday that the PPP was not answerable to PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz or PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and that his stance remained unchanged.

Addressing a press conference in Badin, Bilawal was responding to a question from a reporter on Maryam's recent comments that the PPP had not responded to the show cause notice sent to it and had shown her support to comments by Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Secretary General Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Abbasi had said on Tuesday that there was no place for the PPP within the opposition alliance until it restored the trust it had betrayed. He said that the PDM had sought a response from the PPP, which Bilawal had torn into pieces. "We had asked for a response. Join together the torn pieces [of the show-cause notice], read it and give us the clarification we had sought," Abbasi had said.

In Wednesday's press conference, the PPP chairman acknowledged that he had torn the show cause notice and there was no change in his stance on the PDM. "We are not answerable to Maryam or Mian Sahab. We are answerable to the PPP and the PPP's workers and we think the real joy will be in doing politics together with the PPP's workers."

Bilawal said that Shehbaz Sharif was the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and the PML-N president, thus the PPP would consider his stance and statements to be official PML-N policy and conduct its politics according to that.

He added that the PPP respected Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Reh­man and the two parties had had a "good relationship and contact". Bilawal said, however, that the PPP was engaging in politics based on its vision, principles, with respect and "we dont change our stance."

He called on those who wanted democracy to flourish, civilian supremacy and actually wanted to oppose Prime Minister Imran Khan to "instead of opposing the PPP, our friends in the opposition should target the government."

 

Bill for protection of journalists

During Wednesday's press conference, Bilawal also said he was grateful to the Sindh government, law department and the journalist community for the bill for the protection of journalists being approved by the committee in the Sindh Assembly.

"This will hopefully become law after being passed by the Sindh Assembly. It is with great sadness that we have to pass such bills in the 21st century, when you should get all protection according to the Constitution."

He condemned the swiftness with which journalists were being targeted and subjected to injustice and said Sindh Information Minister Nasir Shah was constantly engaged in efforts to follow-up and punish anyone involved in injustice with journalists.

Bilawal also condemned the attack on journalist and Youtuber, Asad Ali Toor, in Islamabad on Tuesday night. He questioned what kind of message was sent to all of Pakistan if journalists didn't feel secure under the federal government.

He particularly hit out at Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid for "lecturing other provinces but not being able to provide security to one journalist in Islamabad, his own domain". Bilawal said it was a "matter of shame" how journalists were allegedly attacked and beaten in their own homes every month in Islamabad and demanded action and an inquiry to be conducted at the highest levels.

The PPP chairman also once again reiterated the demand for release of funds and compensation according to the Supreme Court order to Bahria Town Karachi so it could be spent on infrastructure and development.

Bilawal said he wanted business activity and development in Sindh, however, "we will not accept anyone's hooliganism. Whoever that is, we will not accept anyone's hooliganism whether that is these housing [societies] or anyone else."

Bilawal also talked at length about issues and problems related to water and said there was a need to create a new consensus on distribution of water based on equality and justice. He said the PPP was ready to fight on the issue of injustice in water distribution on every level and also outlined measures by the Sindh Government to combat the issue such as lining of canals.

He also addressed the security situation in the province and credited the Sindh police and law enforcers for the increase in peace and security. Expressing his "full confidence" in the Sindh police's capacity and capability to maintain peace and security, he called for all institutions to work together to improve the law and order situation.

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Chaudhry Nisar takes oath as member of Punjab Assembly

Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar on Wednesday took oath as the member of Punjab Assembly after a delay of two years and ten months.

The lawmaker was unable to take an oath as a member of the assembly on Monday due to the "absence of the speaker and deputy speaker."

The former interior minister left the assembly soon after acting speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari administered him the oath and then had a casual conversation with journalists.

"I will visit Lahore soon ... where I will speak to the journalists in detail," Nisar said, adding that he was not going to join any political party.

Nisar had been elected from Punjab Assembly’s constituency PP-10 in the 2018 general elections as an independent candidate. However, the former interior minister refrained from taking oath then, as he alleged that rigging cost him the National Assembly’s NA-59 seat.

Speaking to the media after he was unable to take the oath, he had said the day for his oath-taking was fixed but he was later informed that swearing-in was not possible in the absence of the speaker and deputy speaker of the assembly.

"I had decided to take oath after a political development took place. The government plans to introduce an ordinance that eyes disqualification of members; however, the qualification and disqualification of members are included in the Constitution of Pakistan," he had said.

He said that he had a stance from the beginning which he still adheres to, adding that he is not part of any political game.

"Imran Khan should tone down [his aggressiveness] towards the Opposition. The government should take into account all political viewpoints as this country needs increased understanding. This nation needs to unite, not divide," he said.

Nisar also said that news about his meeting with Shahbaz Sharif is only based on speculations.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was the acting governor in the absence of Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and is not attending the assembly sessions.

Similarly, according to sources, Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Mohammad Mazari was not attending either due to personal engagements.

After Nisar’s announcement, several conspiracy theories had started doing the rounds in print and social media that ‘someone’ wanted to give Nisar a bigger role and that’s why he was taking the oath after almost 2.5 years, the sources said.

The theory is: Nisar will take oath as an independent candidate and may later join PTI and replace Usman Buzdar.

Sources said this might be a hurdle race for Nisar. He would first have to make himself acceptable as the CM in the PTI and then deal with Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who also wants to control the province.

Nisar, who used to be one of the most influential leaders in the PML-N, contested the 2018 elections as an independent candidate from two national and two provincial assembly seats after developing differences with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

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PM Imran vows action against DG Khan dacoits after video of brutal murders goes viral

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday vowed action against dacoits in Dera Ghazi Khan, after a video of three kidnapped people went viral on social media, two of whom were brutally murdered on tape.

Addressing a launch ceremony in Layyah of the Insaf Sehat Sahulat Card, he said he was saddened to see poor people being killed in this barbaric manner.

He said the Rangers have been given instructions to bring the perpetrators to book and provide all possible assistance to the police.

"Now these dacoits will not be spared. No one will be allowed to pester area residents any longer," he promised, adding that if needed a police checkpost will be established in the area.

The Ladi gang had abducted three people from the Taman Khosa area. A video that went viral yesterday showed one being shot dead, while the limbs of the other were chopped off before he was killed by the ring leader, known as Khuda Baksh.

All the while, his partner was filming the horrific events.

The Ladi gang leader said in the video that he had "killed the murderers of his companion Haroon".

Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar also noted with grave concern reports of the incident and ordered immediate action against the gang.

According to Hamza Salik, political assistant of DG Khan's tribal area, the Ladi gang members are hiding in the Koh-e-Sulaiman mountain range.

He said the border forces, with the help of Rangers and Punjab police, will "wipe out the gang".

Speaking about the sehat cards, the prime minister said provision of health cards to the citizens would ensure complete and free of cost health coverage, which prior to this was unimaginable in the country’s history.

He said now with the extension of health card facility to every family of the Punjab province, the poor people would no longer have to worry about medical treatment.

He said every family in the Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions could now avail health treatment worth Rs720,000. They are free to get health facilities in public and private hospitals alike.

An additional Rs300,000 can be given to the deserving families when required, he added.

The prime minister also underlined the need to encourage the private sector to fully participate in health initiatives.

He observed that the government-owned lands could be offered to the private sector at affordable prices for the construction of hospitals and other health facilities, especially in the far flung areas of the country.

The prime minister said he wanted every family in Punjab to have the health card.

He also asked the Punjab chief minister to pay special attention to those backward areas of the province that had been left behind in terms of development.

The prime minister noted that migration of the masses from rural to urban areas took place due to lack of job opportunities and basic facilities, multiplying population of cities, which led to multitude of serious civic issues like sewerage problems and scarcity of drinking water.

"The development must be all areas inclusive, so that no area is left behind," he emphasised.

The prime minister highlighting the motive behind the launch of the health cards facility, further said the poor families did not have enough resources to meet their health requirements.

He said the consideration for the plight of poor families had led to the establishment of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital (SKMH).

Under the health insurance, all such basic requirements would be met, he said.

The prime minister said in Pakistan, child mortality rate and ratio of pregnant mothers’ deaths has historically been very high, so it is imperative to establish health facilities in all the backward areas.

PM Imran Khan also appreciated the solarisation of all basic health units in the backward areas of Punjab province as a very good initiative.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar apprised the gathering that different uplift projects worth Rs21 billion were underway in Layyah.

He said every resident in the province would get health cards facility by the end of the year.

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid said a vast network of health facilities would cater to the health requirements of the residents of province.

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Blinken announces US aid to Gaza, pledges to reopen Jerusalem consulate

Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged on a Middle East mission on Tuesday that Washington would provide new aid to help rebuild Gaza as part of efforts to bolster a ceasefire between its Hamas rulers and Israel.

Hoping to reverse a move taken by former President Donald Trump that angered Palestinians, Blinken said the United States would advance the process of re-opening the Jerusalem consulate that had served as its diplomatic channel to the Palestinians.

Speaking alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Blinken said the United States would provide an additional $75 million in development and economic aid to the Palestinians in 2021, $5.5 million in immediate disaster relief for Gaza and $32 million to UN Palestinian aid agency.

But Blinken reiterated that Washington intended to ensure that Hamas, did not benefit from the humanitarian aid — a potentially difficult task in an enclave over which it has a strong grip.

Blinken began his regional visit in Jerusalem, where he held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli leader, speaking to reporters with the top US diplomat at his side, threatened a "very powerful response" if Hamas renewed cross-border rocket strikes.

The truce, brokered by Egypt and coordinated with the United States, began on Friday after 11 days of the worst violence by Israel against Palestinians in years. Now in its fifth day, it has been holding.

"We know that to prevent a return to violence we have to use the space created to address a larger set of underlying issues and challenges," Blinken said.

"And that begins with tackling the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and starting to rebuild."

Blinken will be in the region through Thursday, and will also travel to Egypt and Jordan. In tandem with his visit, Israeli authorities allowed fuel, medicine and food earmarked for Gaza's private sector to enter the territory for the first time since the hostilities began on May 10.

Blinken said re-opening the US Consulate General in Jerusalem would be "an important way for our country to engage with and provide support to the Palestinian people".

The Trump administration merged the consulate with the US Embassy in Israel in 2019, two years after recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital and later moving the embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Those moves broke with long-standing US policy and infuriated Palestinians, who seek East Jerusalem as capital of future state.

Israel deems all of Jerusalem, including the eastern sector it captured in the 1967 Middle East War and annexed in a move not recognised internationally, as its undivided capital.

Biden has no plans to reverse the embassy relocation but has moved in the early months of his term to repair relations with Palestinians. In April, Biden restored hundreds of millions of dollars in Palestinian aid cut by Trump.

Speaking alongside Blinken, Abbas thanked the US "for its commitment to the two-state solution (and maintaining) the status quo on the Haram al-Sharif," a Jerusalem compound holy to Muslims and Jews that contains Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third-holiest site.

Abbas also thanked Blinken for what he called American support "for the preservation of (Palestinian) residents of ... Sheikh Jarrah," an East Jerusalem neighbourhood where the potential evictions of Palestinian families helped spark the Israel-Gaza fighting.

Two states

Negotiations between Israel and Abbas's Palestinian Authority, which has limited self-rule in the West Bank, collapsed in 2014.

While Biden has said a two-state solution was the only answer to resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict, US officials have suggested it was too early for wider peace talks.

Israel is in political flux after four inconclusive elections in two years, and the Palestinians are divided by enmity between Hamas and Abbas, who holds sway in the West Bank.

Blinken said he and Netanyahu discussed "other steps" that need to be taken by leaders on both sides to set "a better course" for Israelis and Palestinians.

"As President Biden said, we believe that Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live safely and securely, to enjoy equal measures of freedom, opportunity and democracy, to be treated with dignity," Blinken said.

At least 254 people were killed in Gaza and more than 1,900 wounded, Palestinian health authorities said, in hundreds of Israeli air strikes.

The Israeli military put the death toll in Israel at 13.

Commercial buildings, residential towers and private houses across the Gaza Strip, where two million people live, were damaged or destroyed by the time the ceasefire was announced.

In Gaza, Palestinian officials estimated reconstruction costs at tens of millions of dollars. Israel has blockaded the territory since 2007, in what Palestinians condemn as collective punishment. Egypt also maintains restrictions on its border with Gaza. Both countries cite security concerns for the measures.

Israel says air strikes hit legitimate military targets and that it did its utmost to avoid civilian casualties, including giving prior warnings when it was about to strike residential buildings that it said also had a military use.

 

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British-Pakistani Muhammad Afzal becomes Birmingham’s new Lord Mayor

Councillor Muhammad Afzal has become Birmingham’s new Lord Mayor and was sworn in to be the “first citizen” of the city where he’s lived for more than 50 years now.

Afzal, who was first elected as a councillor way back in 1982 from the city’s Aston Ward, is currently the longest-serving Muslim councillor in the UK.

He hails from Jhelum, Pakistan, and came to the UK in 1969. Afzal is the first Muslim to be elected as a councillor in Birmingham.

The veteran Labour politician is also Birmingham’s fifth Muslim lord mayor with a Pakistani background. The other four were Mahmood Hussain followed by Abdul Rashid JP, Shafiq Shah, and the current Lord Mayor Muhammad Azim.

Hussain was the first Muslim Lord Mayor of Birmingham, while Shah holds the record of being the youngest ever Lord Mayor.

Afzal was selected by the city council’s ruling Labour group back in January 2020 after the full council meeting and was set to become Lord Mayor in May 2020; however, due to coronavirus and the lockdown it wasn’t possible for him to take charge.

He has replaced Azim as the Lord Mayor as the latter steps down from the post after serving two years in office.

Afzal has also served as the chair of Labour’s BAME (Black, Asian and, Minority Ethnic) group.

He was also elected to be the Lord Mayor back in 2016, but soon after he withdrew from running the post due to his alleged remarks about then Prime Minister David Cameron.

He was criticised for accusing Cameron as an “Islamophobe” over the government’s anti-terrorism programme “Prevent” during a rally at Birmingham Central Mosque.

The veteran politician was also the chairman of Central Mosque at that time, a post which he held for many years.

However, now ,after a wait of five years, he’s all set to become the Lord Mayor again — making him the city’s 111th person to hold the office.

For the mayor’s oath-taking ceremony, normally the council chamber is packed with councillors and members of the public, but due to the COVID-19, only a handful of councillors attended the ceremony.

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COAS Gen Bajwa appreciates army’s operational readiness in view of threats

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday chaired the 241st Corps Commanders’ Conference held at the General Headquarters.

According to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), during the conference, the participants took a comprehensive review of the global, regional, and domestic security environment with a particular focus on the situation along the borders, especially the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary as well as the Pakistan-Afghan Border.

The forum was apprised on evolving operational imperatives and corresponding strategy to meet upcoming challenges. The COAS expressed satisfaction over the Army’s operational readiness in view of the emerging security threats.

While reviewing the recent developments in the Afghan peace process and its attendant effects on the security situation, especially along the Pak-Afghan border, the forum reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for regional peace and stability. Taking serious note of the recent cross-border firing incidents from Afghanistan and regrouping of terrorist leadership/outfits across, the forum expressed hope that Afghanistan's soil will not be used against Pakistan.

In light of the emerging regional security situation, Pakistan has taken effective border control/management measures and the same is expected from Afghanistan to deny any space to spoilers of peace, the forum reiterated.

The forum also reviewed the situation in newly-merged districts of KP (erstwhile FATA) and Balochistan and stressed the fast-paced socio-economic development of these areas to capitalise on the hard-earned peace to bring enduring stability.

The COAS appreciated formations for all-out support to civil administration amidst the ongoing third wave of COVID-19 that has contributed to bringing a significant reduction in the spread of the pandemic and controlling its adverse effects.

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PM Imran has asked me to focus on Sindh’s law and order: Rasheed

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday directed Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed to head to Sindh and focus on the province’s law and order situation.

“PM has ordered me to go to Sindh and hold meeting with the Rangers,” said Ahmed.

He added that the PM issued the directives to him as lawlessness is on the rise in Sindh, and the police are unable to 'deliver'."

The interior minister said that the PM directed him to compile a report and send it to him as soon as possible. In this regard, Ahmed warned that he might visit the province any time to review the law and order situation.

The minister added that he will contact Major General Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhary of Sindh Rangers.

The statement by the interior minister came a few minutes after Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had tweeted that PM Imran Khan held detailed discussions on Sindh with Governor Imran Ismail and Planning Minister Asad Umar.

Fawad said that Umar and Ismail had expressed their “grave concern” with the PM over Sindh’s administrative mismanagement, especially law and order situation, and rising level of crime in the province.

The information minister said that the prime minister, while taking note of the minister and the governor’s report, had directed the interior minister to visit Sindh.

He added that the security tsar of the country was asked by the PM to work with the law enforcement agencies to develop a viable plan of action in response to the situation.

Fawad had also said that the PM had directed the interior minister to submit a report on the matter.

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Cabinet approves forming committee to review ban on TLP: Fawad

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said Tuesday the federal cabinet has decided to form a committee to review the ban imposed on the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

Chaudhry, addressing a press conference along with federal minister Asad Umar, was informing journalists about the decisions taken in the cabinet meeting held in Islamabad.

The information minister said once the committee reviews TLP's application seeking to lift the ban, it will furnish recommendations to the cabinet.

Last month, the proscribed TLP approached the Ministry of Interior to lift the ban imposed on it after it was outlawed on April 15, 2021, over allegations of disturbing peace and interfering in the state’s affairs through protests.

In mid-April, the government had imposed a ban on the organisation under the anti-terrorism law, with Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed saying the decision was taken at the Punjab government's request.

The proscribed organisation's protests caused problems for the masses in April across the country and had claimed the lives of three people, including two policemen. Nearly 800 policemen were injured in clashes with the protesters.

Following the ban, over 100 clerics from the TLP had been placed on the fourth schedule list by the Punjab home department, The News had reported last month.

Meanwhile, addressing the press conference, Chaudhry said the federal cabinet had given approval for a special China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) business visa to facilitate Chinese investors in the country.

Chaudhary said this would enable the Chinese investors to get their visas within 48 hours and get the security clearance in 30 days.

The cabinet appreciated the economic team for steering the country towards stability despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the "flawed policies of previous regimes", he said.

He said overseas voters are a crucial part of the government's electoral reforms, adding the Election Commission of Pakistan should take immediate steps to bring them into the country's electoral process.

The federal minister said the idea of introducing electronic voting machines (EVMs) is being appreciated by different segments of society, including bar associations, adding that the Rawalpindi Bar Council has demanded EVMs for their upcoming elections.

The cabinet appreciated improvement in the relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia as it will be beneficial for Muslim Ummah, the federal minister said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan appreciated Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi for successfully raising the Palestine issue at international forums, he said.

The cabinet approved Cantonment Board Elections and directed the Ministry of Defence to make all arrangements in this regard, the minister said.

The cabinet also gave approval to a new board of directors for the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV).

Secretary information will be the chairperson of PTV's new board, while director-general Radio Pakistan has also been included in its members.

Giving details of economic indicators, Umar, taking over the presser, said PM Imran Khan's policy of protecting lives and livelihood during COVID-19 has saved the economy from suffering losses.

He said according to the figures provided by the National Accounts Committee, the government is expecting more than a 3.5% gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate.

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Shafqat Mahmood tests positive for Covid-19

Federal education minister Shafqat Mahmood said on Tuesday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, adding that he was experiencing "mild symptoms".

In a tweet, the minister said: "I have tested positive for coronavirus. I feel fine with mild symptoms. InshAllah will get well soon."

I have tested positive for coronavirus. I feel fine with mild symptoms. InshAllah will get well soon.

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) May 25, 2021

A day earlier, Mahmood had chaired an online meeting of the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference where it was decided to hold board exams across the country after June 20.

In March, Mahmood had said that he had gotten vaccinated for Covid-19 at the Polyclinic in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, well wishes poured in over the minister's diagnosis. Journalist Hamid Mir was quick to wish the minister a speedy recovery.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Taimur Jhagra said he was praying for the minister's recovery.

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UK prime minister offers qualified apology for remarks on Islam

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a qualified apology for offence caused by his past remarks about Islam, speaking in a critical report into his Conservative Party which looked at discrimination including complaints of Islamophobia.

Johnson was interviewed for the report, commissioned by the ruling Conservatives in response to criticism of how it handled discrimination and complaints. The report was conducted independently by Professor Swaran Singh who has served as a Commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

It cited several examples relating to Johnson, including a 2018 newspaper column in which he referred to women wearing burqas as “going around looking like letterboxes” and likened their appearance to bank robbers.

Johnson defended the article as a liberal defence of a Muslim woman's right to choose what she wore.
“I do know that offence has been taken at things I've said, that people expect a person in my position to get things right, but in journalism, you need to use language freely. I am obviously sorry for any offence taken,” the report quoted Johnson as saying.

“Would I use some of the offending language from my past writings today? Now that I am Prime Minister, I would not.”

Singh found that the party had not been active enough in challenging discrimination, its complaints procedure needed to be overhauled and its sanctions system for those who breached the rules was unclear.

“Judging by the extent of complaints and findings of misconduct by the Party itself that relate to anti-Muslim words and conduct, anti-Muslim sentiment remains a problem within the Party,” the report's conclusions said.

The Conservative Party said it was considering the report's recommendations.

 

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PPP needs to rebuild trust before it can rejoin PDM: Abbasi

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Secretary General Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday categorically stated that there was no place for the PPP within the opposition alliance until it restored the trust it had betrayed.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, the PML-N leader said that PDM had not extended an invitation to the PPP. "PDM Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has clearly stated that [the PPP] needs to review its decisions. They need to restore the trust that they have betrayed."

He said the opposition alliance was formed for a particular purpose. "If you are not committed to trusting the movement, then there is no place for you within the PDM."

Asked whether he would resign as secretary general if the PPP rejoins PDM, Abbasi said: "The PPP can't just rejoin the movement. They can only do so once they restore their trust in the PDM. The alliance does not have a revolving-door policy that you break its trust, leave the movement and try to come back again when you face difficulties.
"The door is closed. The door will only open when you rebuild the trust," he said.

He added that the PDM had sought a response from the PPP, which Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had torn into pieces.

"We had asked for a response. Join together the torn pieces [of the show-cause notice], read it and give us the clarification we had sought," he said.

Abbasi, in his capacity as the PDM secretary general, had issued show-cause notices to the PPP and the Awami National Party for nominating Yousuf Raza Gilani as the opposition leader in the Senate “in violation of the unanimous decision” of the alliance.

Shortly after the ANP quit the PDM over "its hijacking by some member parties", Bilawal had tore apart the show-cause notice issued by the alliance in a clear message that the future relied entirely on mutual respect.

The Central Executive Committee of the PPP had also asked all the party members to resign from their positions in the alliance.

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Crypto miners halt China business after Beijing cracks down, bitcoin tumbles

Cryptocurrency miners, including HashCow and BTC.TOP, have halted their China operations after Beijing intensified a crackdown on bitcoin mining and trading, hammering digital currencies amid heightened global regulatory scrutiny of them.

A State Council committee led by Vice Premier Liu He announced the crackdown late on Friday as part of efforts to fend off financial risks. It was the first time the council has targeted virtual currency mining, a big business in China that accounts for as much as 70 per cent of the world's crypto supply.

Cryptocurrency exchange Huobi on Monday suspended both crypto-mining and trading services to mainland Chinese clients, adding it will instead focus on overseas businesses.

BTC.TOP, a crypto mining pool, also announced the suspension of its China business citing regulatory risks, while crypto miner HashCow said it would halt buying new bitcoin rigs.

Crypto miners use increasingly powerful, specially-designed computer equipment, or rigs, to verify virtual coin transactions in a process which produces newly minted crypto currencies such as bitcoin.

“Crypto mining consumes a lot of energy, which runs counter to China's carbon neutrality goals,” said Chen Jiahe, chief investment officer of Beijing-based family office Novem Arcae Technologies.

The crackdown is also part of China's stepped-up drive to curb speculative crypto trading, he added.

Bitcoin took a beating after the latest Chinese move, and is now down nearly 50pc from it's all-time high. It shed as much as 17pc on Sunday, before paring some losses and was last trading steady in Asia.

Elsewhere, Ether fell to a two-month low on Sunday, down 60pc from a record peak hit just 12 days ago,

Investor protection and money laundering are particular concerns of global financial regulators who are grappling with whether and how they should regulate the cryptocurrency industry.

The latest shakeout in digital currencies also stems from tighter scrutiny in the United States. Last Thursday, US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said they pose risks to financial stability, and indicating that greater regulation of the increasingly popular electronic currency may be warranted.

Huobi made the announcement via its official Telegram community for Huobi Mall, as well in a statement to Reuters. BTC.TOP and HashCow could not be immediately reached for comment

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Myanmar's Suu Kyi appears in court in person for first time since coup

Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in person at a court hearing on Monday for the first time since her government was overthrown by the military in a February 1 coup, her lawyer told Reuters.

Suu Kyi looked in good health and held a face-to-face meeting with her legal team for about 30 minutes before the hearing, lawyer Thae Maung Maung said.

Suu Kyi, 75, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her efforts to build democracy, is among more than 4,000 people detained since the coup. She faces charges that range from illegally possessing walkie-talkie radios to violating a state secrets law.

The ousted leader "wished people good health" in her meeting with her lawyers and also made an apparent reference to her National League for Democracy party that could be dissolved soon.

"She said the party was established for the people so the party will be there as long as the people are," Thae Maung Maung told Reuters.

Myanmar's junta-appointed election commission will dissolve Suu Kyi's political party for vote fraud in a November election, media reported on Friday, citing a commissioner, who threatened action against "traitors" involved.

The army seized power claiming fraud in an election won by Suu Kyi's party in November. Its accusations had been dismissed by the former electoral commission.

In his first interview with foreign media since the coup, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing had also said Suu Kyi was in good health as he disputed the number of people killed by security forces in protests since the coup.

Myanmar has been in chaos since the army took power, with daily protests, marches and strikes nationwide against the junta, which has responded with lethal force, killing more than 800 people, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group.

Min Aung Hlaing in the May 20 interview said the actual casualty figure was about 300 and that 47 police had also been killed.

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Board exams to be held across the country after June 20

A meeting of federal and provincial education ministers decided on Monday to hold board exams across the country after June 20.

The Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) also decided that summer vacations would be shortened this year, according to a statement released by the federal Ministry of Education after the meeting.

Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood presided over the meeting which was also attended by all provincial education ministers as well as different secretaries.

They "analysed in detail all options" for holding exams across the country and decided that board exams would be held in Pakistan after June 20. The exact dates for the exams would be announced by the provinces later, the meeting decided.

Mahmood urged all federal units to focus on ensuring the timely vaccination of teachers, examination and administrative staff, adding that those who did not have a certificate of vaccination would not be called for invigilation duties.

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PM Imran briefed on national and regional security situation during visit to ISI headquarters

Prime Minister Imran Khan was given a briefing on the security situation in the country and the region during a visit to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Secretariat on Monday.

He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Nadeem Raza, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Amjad Khan Niazi and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu.

They were received at the ISI Secretariat by Director General Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, according to a press release by the Prime Minister's Office.

During the visit, the national and military leadership was given a "comprehensive briefing on the regional and national security situation", the release stated.

Prime Minister Imran appreciated the ISI's "diligent efforts for national security and expressed his satisfaction over professional preparedness".

In March, the COAS and ISI chief had met the prime minister as part of the interactions between the civilian and military leadership on national issues.

An official, speaking on background, had said the meeting was held to review the "internal and external situation".

Five publicly known meetings between Prime Minister Imran and the army chief and ISI director general have taken place in the past couple of months under this format.

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Sindh govt restricts all 'unnecessary movement' after 8pm

The Sindh government imposed on Monday a sweeping restriction on 'unnecessary movement' after 8pm starting May 25 (Tuesday) citing rising COVID-19 cases in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur cities.

A meeting of the provincial task force on coronavirus was held on Monday at CM House with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah in the chair. The decision to further tighten the restrictions came a day after the provincial authorities announced they were extending the current coronavirus restrictions for two more weeks.

It was decided to impose a ban on people's movement after 8pm and the provincial police chief was directed to stop people travelling in cars unnecessarily.

During the meeting, CM Shah said that if the masses follow the safety guidelines for two more weeks, the sharp post-Eid rise in COVID-19 cases will be limited.

"We can ease COVID restrictions in the city when new cases are controlled."

The chief minister said that he will pay surprise visits to check the implementation of SOPs, adding that 50% of current total cases in the country are from Sindh.

He noted that complaints have beeb received from Karachi's South and East districts and directed the respective deputy commissioners to ensure the implementation of safety protocols in their areas.

Mass vaccination

Meanwhile, CM Shah also directed the provincial health minister to make arrangements for mass vaccination in industrial areas. He instructed to seek help from the industrialists.

"We have to protect our people by vaccinating them," he said and directed deputy commissioners and SSPs to implement restrictions.

COVID-19 lockdown extended

On Sunday, the Sindh government had tightened curbs once more in view of the rising number of coronavirus cases throughout the province.

According to the home department, a rise in positivity was observed throughout the province, especially in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur.

"The Task Force discussed various ways and means to contain the disease. It was reiterated that compliance of the SOPs (standard operating procedures) for Covid continues to remain a cornerstone measure for control of disease spread," said the statement.

"The Task Force also decided to issue strict warnings and advice for the public to strictly follow SOPs on Covid control with a warning that if the cases rise, the closure of many activities may have to be undertaken, especially in areas with high positivity," it added.

The following changes were announced following the meeting:

Business hours will now be from 5am to 6pm, except for essential services.

Bakeries and milk shops are allowed to operate till midnight.

Pharmacies inside shopping malls will close at 6pm, along with other shops.

Fridays and Sundays to be off days for businesses, except for Hyderabad, where Fridays and Saturdays will be the designated off days.

All outdoor and indoor dining is henceforth barred; takeaway, drive through and delivery services to continue.

Public transport — inter-city, intra-city and inter-provincial — allowed with 50% occupancy, strict observance of SOPs.

Places/activities still closed

Medical experts suggested continued restrictions on some places and activities in view of the rising number of cases. These are:

Marriage halls, business centres, expo halls.

Contact sports, indoor gyms, sports facilities, sporting tournaments — indoor and outdoor.

Theme parks, amusement parks, arcades for video games, carrom/dabbu playing areas.

Tourist spots such as Keenjhar Lake and Lab-e-Mehran, picnic spots, all beaches, and recreational parks.

Beauty parlours.

Clinics.

Cinemas and theatres.

Shrines.

All types of indoor and outdoor religious, cultural, musical social gatherings

Special focus areas

Special focus areas identified by the forum were Karachi (District East and South), Hyderabad (Qasimabad, Latifabad, and Taluka Hyderabad City) and Sukkur.

 

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Team formed to investigate Rawalpindi Ring Road project scam

The Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) constituted on Monday a team to investigate the Rawalpindi Ring Road project scam, reported .

Punjab ACE Director General Mohammad Gohar formed the team comprising legal, technical and economic experts, according to a spokesperson for the anti-corruption department.

He said the ACE will apprise the nation about facts after the investigation.

The investigation into the Ring Road project scam was launched on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

It is noteworthy that a fact-finding inquiry committee detected large-scale irregularities in the Rawalpindi Ring Road project. The inquiry committee formed by the Punjab government revealed that former commissioner Muhammad Mehmood made illegal changes in the actual plan of the Rawalpindi Ring Road to benefit some influential persons.

Former LAC Waseem Tabish and former government officer Abdullah were also involved in the Ring Road project scam, said the report.

On May 17, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari resigned from his public office after an inquiry into the Rawalpindi Ring Road project alleged his involvement in corrupt practices.

In a series of tweets he posted earlier today, the PM’s aide said he has resigned ‘owing to the allegations in ongoing Ring Road inquiry’ until his name is ‘cleared up of any allegations’.

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PM Imran launches ‘Ehsaas Saving Wallets’ initiative

Prime Minister Imran Khan launched on Monday an “Ehsaas Saving Wallets (Ehsaas Bachat Bank Account) initiative during a visit to an Ehsaas Kafaalat payment site in Islamabad.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Khan said the Ehsaas initiative was recognised among the top four social protection programmes the world over during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He maintained that a large section of the world’s population fell under poverty line with the pandemic affecting daily wagers and labour class the most.

Had we not swiftly rolled out the Ehsaas programme, the weak segments of society would have suffered more, the prime minister pointed out, adding 25 per cent of the country’s population is below the poverty line.

PM Imran Khan hoped that the “Ehsaas Saving Wallets” will also be successful in achieving its intended objective. “Poverty alleviates fast if we bring women into financial system,” he opined.

Prime Minister Imran Khan stressed that no country could progress by ignoring the weak segments of society. “A country that has an island of the rich and a sea of the poor cannot reach greater heights,” he said.

Ehsaas Saving Wallets (ESWs) is said to be an essential component of the Ehsaas Financial Inclusion Strategy. The saving wallets initiative is a strategic step forward for Kafaalat households to better manage financial shocks, meet emergency needs, and invest to increase their earnings; to climb out of poverty.

The Ehsaas Kafaalat beneficiaries will now have an option of either drawing their money or saving money in digital wallets.

They can open these accounts at agent shops or ATMs. Initial transactions through these accounts will include balance inquiry, cash in and cash out, transfer funds received from Ehsaas to mobile accounts, mobile top up, utility bill payments and money transfers.

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PIA direct flight from Karachi lands Skardu

The first-ever-direct flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from Karachi has landed at the Skardu airport, reported on Monday.

The flight operation has been initiated on the special directives of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan in a move to uplift tourism in the country.

The Airbus-320 with 178 passengers and eight cabin crews on board reached Skardu from Karachi.

Last week, the flight was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had announced to operate weekly two flights from Karachi to Skardu to facilitate tourists.

Air Marshal Arshad Malik, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), had earlier said that the national carrier was planning to operate direct flights from Karachi to Skardu in order to promote tourism.

Talking to the media, the CEO had said that after launching direct flights from Lahore to Skardu, the national flag carrier planning to launch Lahore-Gilgit flights as well.

The national carrier earlier this year had commenced direct flights from Lahore to the northern areas.

On March 26, Swat’s Saidu Sharif airport had welcomed the first flight, after a hiatus of 17 years.

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COVID-19 cases, deaths continue to decline in Pakistan

The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of 57 more people across the country over the last 24 hours, lifting the death toll from the disease to 20,308, reported on Monday.

Due to concrete steps taken by the government, the number of COVID-19 cases and the positivity ratio is continuously declining in the country.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) data, the national tally of confirmed cases rose to 903,599 with 3,060 more testing positive for the virus during the same period.
A total of 58,670 samples were tested, out of which 3,060 turned out to be positive. The positivity ratio was recorded at 5.21%. 820,374 people recuperated from the disease so far.

There were 4,763 infected patients in critical care in various hospitals in the past 24 hours.

Thus far, Punjab has reported 334,760 COVID-19 cases, Sindh 309,647 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 129,883, Islamabad 80,418, Balochistan 24,583, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 18,808 and Gilgit Baltistan 5,500.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Sunday received another 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from China.

According to details, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) special flight PK 6853 airlifted another batch of two million doses of Sinovac vaccine from the Capital International Airport Beijing to Islamabad.

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Central bank clarifies ambiguities over GDP growth rate numbers

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has released on Sunday a clarification on the media debate over GDP growth estimations being cited by the National Accounts Committee (NAC) noting underway strong economic recovery already highlighted in its quarterly reports.

In a set of tweets published by the central bank via its official handle say that the provisional estimate for the financial year 2021 growth of 3.94 per cent that NAC released, reflects the strong economic recovery underway already anticipated and posted in its reports.

“SBP had raised its own growth forecast in March on the basis of buoyant economic activity reflected in different high-frequency data.”

“This was done in an appropriately conservative manner while noting upside risks to growth.”

The central bank said that it had anticipated the upside potential of the economy given the numbers but was conservative in posting them. However as the potential really materialized, the NAC’s forecast is substantiated.

“Data received since then, and discussed in the NAC, suggest these upside risks have materialized.”

It said the estimate released is carried out in consultations with SBP and the numbers are unanimously approved.

“The estimate released was approved unanimously and has the full backing of the SBP.”

Pertinent to note that federal finance minister for Shaukat Tarin said the country dealt with COVID-19 situation in a better way and predicted that the growth rate would move to six percent in the next fiscal year.

“Growth rate is projected at five pc this year and would move further upward to six percent during the next fiscal year,” he said while addressing a virtual press conference and added that the government has developed short and long-term plans to achieve the target.

The finance minister said that the COVID-19 has impacted the economy and policies adopted by Prime Minister Imran Khan has saved them from getting badly hit by the pandemic.

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