PM Shehbaz establishes relief fund for assistance of flood affected people

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has setup a flood relief fund for those affected from heavy rainfall and floods in the country and asked public to donate for the cause.

The prime minister said that above normal rainfall has led to a disaster in Balochistan while losses were witnessed in Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces.

“Despite tough economic conditions, the government has released Rs5 billion for the flood affectees,” he said and asked philanthropists to come forward and help government in rebuilding the structures of those affected in the disaster.

The funds for the flood affectees could be transferred to account number G-12164 of Prime Minister Relief Fund 2022.

It is pertinent to mention here that the prime minister has already announced to impose emergency in areas hit by severe monsoon rains and floods, and ordered the finance ministry to issue Rs 5 billion to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)for rescue and relief programs.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s House, a state of emergency has been imposed in areas severely hit by floods and rains.

Additionally, the PM has ordered to form a joint committee of NDMA and PDMA to commence rescue and rehabilitation programs for the flood-affected people.

The PM said ordered the Finance Ministry to issue Rs 5 billion for the rescue and relief programs, saying the programs are their utmost priority. We will have to think about the people in distress over our political conflicts, the PM added.

The committee formed by PM includes Ahsan Iqbal, Asad Mehmood, Abdul Wasay, Murtaza Javed, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Chairman NDMA and Secretary communications. The committee would hold its inaugural session today and formulate a coordination policy.

The PM added that they need to formulate a short-term and a long-term strategy to overcome the situation. The provincial government have been ordered to submit reports to the federal government by the PM.

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Utility stores increase prices of various items

The Utility Stores Corporation has increased the prices of various items at its stores across the country following a hike in other markets of the country.

According to a notification, prices of branded tea, milk, spices, honey, toothpaste, shampoo, and other items have been increased by the government after which the price of 950 grams of branded tea has increased by Rs198 and the price of tea has increased from Rs697 to Rs895.

Similarly, the price of milk has gone from Rs177 to Rs197, the price of a 260 gram jar of honey has been jacked up from Rs310 to Rs425, the price of baby dry milk supplement has increased from Rs1,360 to Rs1,450, and the price of shampoos of different brands has increased by up to Rs30.

 

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AJK cabinet condemns India’s unconstitutional acts

The AJK cabinet condemned the unconstitutional, illegal and immoral actions of India on August 5, 2019.

India had revoked the status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by invoking Article 370 in the occupied territory three years ago.

The ministers paid homage to the officers and soldiers of the army who were martyred in a helicopter crash in Balochistan earlier this week, expressing solidarity with the victims and regret over the losses caused during the recent rains and floods across the country.

Later, Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan gave a briefing to the media. Civil Defense Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Akbar Ibrahim, Special Assistant to the state PM on Information Chaudhry Muhammad Rafiq Nayar, Information Secretary Midhat Shehzad and Touseef Abbasi were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Khan said a committee headed by a senior member of the board of revenue has been formed regarding the cancellation of fake domicile certificates.

The finance minister highlighted how no compromise could be made on the identity and dignity of Azad Kashmir. “Government will not do anything that is against the interest of the state and the people”, he said, adding that no one should either expect any such thing from us.

“We strongly condemn the negative propaganda being made on social media to defame the PTI government in Azad Kashmir”, he said.

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UAE to invest $1bn in Pakistani companies: Report

The United Arab Emirates intends to invest $1 billion in Pakistani companies across various sectors, state news agency (WAM) reported citing an official source in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE is keen to continue cooperation with Pakistan “in various fields, which include gas, energy infrastructure, renewable energy, health care,” the agency added.

The move will likely help revive investor sentiment in the country, which has been beset by dwindling foreign exchange reserves as well as a depreciating rupee. However, as an IMF bailout programme becomes clearer, sentiment has improved and the stock market on Friday rallied by some 670 points.

The IMF’s summer recess ends on Aug 12. “So, technically the IMF Executive Board’s meeting could take place before Aug 20, if recommendations are sent to the board by Aug 6,” one of the sources said.

Pakistan and the IMF signed the $6bn bailout accord — Extended Fund Facility (EFF) — in 2019. But the release of a $1.17 billion (seventh and eighth) tranche has been on hold since earlier this year, when the IMF expressed concern about Pakistan’s compliance with the deal.

The last executive board consultation was held on February 2 this year. On July 13, the IMF reached a staff-level agreement on the combined seventh and eighth reviews for the EFF, which has to be approved by the board before it is disbursed.

The sources said Pakistan tried to get the board’s approval before the summer recess (Aug 1 to 12) and sent several officials to Washing­ton to persuade the Fund to do so. Earlier this week, Army Chief Qamar Bajwa telephoned US Deputy Secr­etary of State Wendy Sher­man to seek Washing­ton’s support for the package. “But the Pakistanis were informed that it’s not possible to hold a board meeting before the recess as a number of members are already on leave,” one of the sources said.

Another source said the IMF was “keen to help Pakistan out” and that “there has been no delay on their behalf”, but it was “not possible to expedite the process”.

The sources said the IMF had asked Pakistan to get assurances from Saudi Arabia and the UAE that they would give an expected $4bn loan to the country after the IMF releases its tranche.

“The Pakistanis received, and conveyed, the assurance from the two friendly countries,” a senior diplomatic source said. “So, we see no problem in the board’s approval.”

But other sources said Pakistan had been warned “not to allow the political situation to go out of hand”. The government had further been told that “street violence and protests by the opposition or a government crackdown on PTI leaders can have a negative impact on the deal”.

The US media, while commenting on Gen. Bajwa’s calls to US diplomatic and military officials three days ago, pointed out that “Pakistan’s military, which has directly ruled the country for more than half of its 75-year history, has closely worked with the US and is an official ally in the war on terror against Al Qaeda”.

“And the calls have helped, but even the Americans cannot persuade the IMF to circumvent its procedure,” a diplomatic source said.

“Pakistan desperately needs the IMF loan. In July, the fund said it would raise the value of the bailout from $6 billion to $7 billion, if approved by its executive board, usually considered a formality,” one of the reports said.

Another report noted that “the revival of IMF’s bailout package will help Pakistan and encourage other international financial institutions to engage with the country”.

The report pointed out that since Imran Khan’s ouster, “Pakistan’s currency has plummeted to an all-time low amid uncertainty about IMF assistance”.

The steady decline in the nation’s currency “has spread panic among its business community” and “rising food prices has made the Sharif government highly unpopular”.

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Noted mountaineer Sirbaz Khan sets eyes on Gashebrum-I

Renowned mountaineer Sirbaz Khan, who hails from Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, has set off on an expedition to scale Gashebrum-I at 8,080 metres (26,510 ft).

The noted climber is eyeing his 12^th eight-thousander as he has previously scaled 11 out of 14 peaks above 8000 meters in the world.

He is the Pakistani to have climbed 11 of the 14 peaks above 8000 meters, including the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, and the second highest peak K2.

In 2019, he became the first Pakistani to summit Mount Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest mountain at 8,516m in Nepal, without the use of supplementary oxygen.

Moreover, he summited the 8,125-metre-high Nanga Parbat in 2017, 8,611-metre-high K-2 in 2018 and Broad Peak, which has a height of 8,163 metres in 2019. Earlier this year, he climbed the 8,091-metre-high Anapurna mountain, 8,848-metre-high Everest and 8,035-metre-high Gasherbrum II.

On four of these expeditions, he had been accompanied by late Muhammad Ali Sadpara.

Sirbaz is aiming to become the first Pakistani to climb all 14 of the world's highest peaks.

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COAS stresses need to enhance capability in firepower, cyber domains

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the newly-raised Army Cyber Command and its two main components — Cyber Division and Army Centre of Emerging Technologies, the military said on Friday.

“Nature and character of warfare are changing. Firepower and cyber have emerged as the mainstay of future war and we need to enhance our capability and capacity in these domains,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the army chief as saying.

“The newly-raised Cyber Command shall progressively be linked to Tri-Services level and will also form part of national cyber initiatives to have synergy at a national level," the COAS added.

Gen Bajwa was received by Commander Army Cyber Command Lieutenant General Asif Ghafoor. Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Lt General Azhar Abbas and other senior military officers were also present on the occasion.

A day earlier, COAS General Bajwa visited the Military College of Engineering (MCE) in Risalpur and appreciated engineers’ contributions during counter-terrorism operations, the military said.

The ISPR had said in a statement that the army chief laid a floral wreath at Shahuada monument and offered Fateha upon arrival at the MCE Risalpur.

The COAS was also briefed about training modules and various training facilities at MCE including Counter IEDs Explosive Munitions School (CEMS), Combat and Civil Engineering wings.

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COAS General Bajwa reaches out to Saudi and UAE authorities, discusses IMF programme

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has spoken with the authorities of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The International Monetary Fund loan programme reportedly came under discussion and positive development is expected for Pakistan soon.

It comes days after Nikkei Asia reported that Gen Bajwa appealed to the United States to help Islamabad secure an early dispersal of $1.2 billion in funds under the IMF programme to avert the risk of debt default.

According to the report, the army chief reached out to the US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on a phone call, sources from both US and Pakistan revealed to the publication's correspondent Wajahat S Khan, on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.

The sources revealed that Gen Bajwa requested the White House and Treasury Department to urge the lender to expedite the bailout process and immediately release the nearly $1.2 billion that Pakistan expects to receive under the resumed loan programme.

Pakistan and the IMF reached a staff-level agreement over the release of the funds to support the country’s fragile economy. The staff-level agreement will pave the way for the $1.2 billion disbursement, which is expected this month after the board approves it.

In a related development, Pakistan has completed the last precondition for the combined seventh and eighth reviews, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday, adding that a board meeting is tentatively scheduled for late August once adequate financing assurances are confirmed.

Esther Perez Ruiz, the IMF's Resident Representative for Pakistan, confirmed the last prior action in a statement sent to the media.

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South Korea launches first lunar orbiter as space bid gathers pace

South Korea launched its first lunar orbiter on Friday as it doubles down on its space programmes, aiming to land a probe on the moon by 2030.

The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, nicknamed Danuri, meaning "enjoy the Moon", was launched on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral US Space Force Station at 8:08am on Friday (2308 GMT on Thursday), South Korea's science ministry said.

The 678 kg (1,495 lb) Danuri separated from the projectile about 40 minutes after launch and began communicating with a ground station around 9:40am.

"Analysis of the received information confirmed [...] Danuri was operating normally," Vice Science Minister Oh Tae-seog told a briefing, announcing that the orbiter had established a trajectory towards the moon.

It will enter the moon's orbit in December before starting a yearlong observation mission, including searching for a landing site and testing space internet technology, the ministry said.

If it succeeds, South Korea will become the world's seventh lunar explorer and the fourth in Asia, behind China, Japan, and India.

The launch was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed because of a maintenance issue with the SpaceX rocket.

South Korea has been accelerating its space programme, with the goal of sending a probe to the moon by 2030. It has also joined the Artemis project aimed at returning to the moon by 2024.

In July, South Korea held a second test launch of its domestically produced Nuri rocket and reported its first successful launch of a solid-fuel space-launch rocket in March as part of efforts to launch spy satellites.

Space launches have long been a sensitive issue on the Korean peninsula, where North Korea faces international sanctions over its nuclear-armed ballistic missile programme.

In March, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un called for expanding its space rocket launch site to advance its space ambitions, after South Korea and the United States accused it of testing a new intercontinental ballistic missile under the guise of launching a space vehicle.

South Korea says its space programme is for peaceful and scientific purposes and any military use of the technology, such as in spy satellites, is for its defence.

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Pakistan on 'right track', but warns of more bad days: Miftah Ismail

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said Friday that Pakistan was heading in the right direction, but he did not rule out the possibility of the country facing bad days ahead.

In his address to an event at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in the metropolis, the finance minister said: "We are on the right track, but obviously we might see bad days. However, we are on the right track and if we control our imports for three months, we can boost our exports through various means."

The incumbent government faced an uphill task of ending oil and power subsidies when it came to power — and after much deliberation, it did put an end to them as the country needed the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Pakistan reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF last month followed by months of deeply unpopular belt-tightening by the government, which took power in April and has effectively eliminated fuel and power subsidies and introduced new measures to broaden the tax base.

The new government has slashed a raft of subsidies to meet the demands of global financial institutions but risks the wrath of an electorate already struggling under the weight of double-digit inflation.

Following the staff-level agreement and the tough decisions, IMF's Resident Representative for Pakistan Esther Perez Ruiz said earlier this week that the country has completed the last precondition — increasing the PDL (petroleum development levy) — for the combined seventh and eighth reviews.

An original $6 billion bailout package was signed by former prime minister Imran Khan in 2019, but repeatedly stalled when his government reneged on subsidy agreements and failed to significantly improve tax collection.

'Unwise' decisions?

Moving on, the finance minister said that the budget deficit during PML-N's previous government was $1,600 billion, and the PTI, in the last four years, raised it $3,500 billion.

"When you raise the budget deficit and also increase the loans by 80%, it has an adverse impact on the economy," the finance minister said, lamenting that the present government was "suffering" due to PTI's economic policies.

He noted that the government, after being formed, had to save the country from default, therefore, it took some immediate and short-term measures.

"Maybe it was unwise in the long-term," he noted.

The finance minister said that through the measures that the government has taken, imports will decrease, resulting in the appreciation of the rupee.

Miftah added that the country needed to boost its reserves for long-term stability and the current condition where the government had to "literally beg" countries for money "was no fun".

The rupee has been registering gains over the last few days — as the pressure on it has decreased amid a positive statement of Pakistan completing all prerequisites for the IMF loan programme's revival.

 

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PM Shehbaz condemns India's use of 'unbridled force' in IIOJK

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called out India for its continuous use of "unbridled force" in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as the nation marked three years since New Delhi stripped the valley of its special autonomy.

In a series of tweets, the premier said: "Today marks the third sombre anniversary of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019 aimed at changing the internationally recognised disputed status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir and altering the demographic structure of the occupied territory."

He lauded brave Kashmiris for persevering in the face of fear, intimidation, torture and the worst forms of human rights violations. "Indian oppression has failed to dent their resolve," PM Shehbaz remarked.

"The Jammu and Kashmir dispute has been a battle of hope against overwhelming odds, of courage against fear and of sacrifice against tyranny. Today, we pay rich tributes to all the martyrs of IIOJK for their ultimate sacrifice and to their families for their resolve and courage," the prime minister added.

In a statement issued by the President House, President Dr Arif Alvi said that the resolution of the Kashmir dispute was the only way to ensure durable peace and stability in the region.

"India's actions of August 5, 2019 contravene several United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions which stipulated that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people through a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations," he stated.

The president further promised that Pakistan would "continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just struggle".

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari highlighted that the developments in the occupied valley over the last three years had proven that "India has been relentlessly pursuing its nefarious design of furthering demographic changes".

"It is doing so through repressive measures, including outrageous gerrymandering, to create Hindu-dominated constituencies at the expense of Muslim majorities, the issuance of millions of fake domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris, and modifying laws on ownership of land and property," he said.

Bilawal pointed out that the presence of 900,000 troops had turned India into "the most militarised zone in the world", highlighting that more than 650 Kashmiris had been martyred since August 5, 2019, including over 130 so far this year.

Calling on the international community, he demanded that the United Nations live up to its promise of granting the right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people.

"The international community must demand an end to India’s gross and widespread human rights violations in IIOJK, reversal of its unilateral and illegal actions of August 5, 2019, repeal of draconian laws, and implementation of relevant UNSC resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir," the foreign minister said.

Pakistan will always remain in strong support and solidarity with the Kashmiri brethren till the full realisation of their legitimate rights, he added.

India's 2019 revocation of Article 370

On August 5, 2019, India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had revoked occupied Kashmir's special status by repealing Article 370 of the constitution. The move allowed people from the rest of the country to have the right to acquire property in occupied Kashmir and settle there permanently.

Kashmiris, international organisations and critics of India’s Hindu nationalist-led government saw the move as an attempt to dilute the demographics of Muslim-majority Kashmir with Hindu settlers.

Earlier this year, the Indian government said a delimitation commission had finalised 90 assembly constituencies for the IIOJK, excluding Ladakh, with 43 seats for Jammu and 47 for Kashmir. Earlier, Jammu had 37 seats and the Kashmir valley had 46.

The delimitation commission claimed it had been difficult to accommodate competing claims from various sides, citing in a statement the region’s "peculiar geo-cultural landscape".

Subsequently, the Pakistan Foreign Office had handed over a demarche to Indian charge d’affaires, conveying the Government of Pakistan’s categorical rejection of the report of the so-called ‘Delimitation Commission’, which was aimed at disenfranchising and disempowering the Muslim majority population of occupied Kashmir.

The FO had called on India to refrain from bringing about any illegal demographic changes in the occupied territory, stop forthwith its oppression in the IIOJK, and let the Kashmiri people determine their own future through a free and fair plebiscite under the UN auspices.

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Senate passes NAB amendment bill despite Opposition's protest

The Senate passed on Thursday the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill despite strong protest by the Opposition, who alleged that the government intended to damage the anti-graft body to facilitate its leadership.

However, the government strenuously denied these charges, emphasising that the revisions were in public interest and so were required to be enacted the same day the House convened after a two-day break.

The Opposition started the protest in the House when Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan moved a motion seeking suspension of rules for introducing the bill, while opposition members shouted "no, no" and beat desks to obstruct the process. Three amendments submitted by JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmad were rejected by a majority vote amid the chaos.

Rising from his seat, PTI Senator Shibli Faraz stated that the bill's clear goal was to render the NAB powerless, adding that it was being done by a government facing significant corruption accusations, with 60% of its cabinet members on bail.

The legislator claimed the incumbent coalition government had no moral justification for passing legislation that would directly benefit it, and vowed to oppose it tooth and nail.

Shibli was supported by JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, who argued that the bill was intended to take effect in 1999, and that a criminal law cannot be retroactively applied.

Furthermore, Ahmed highlighted that under an amendment, the NAB would be unable to prosecute people who whiten their black money through amnesty programmes, since this would undoubtedly give a back door for unscrupulous mafias, criminals, and dacoits.

However, Shahadat Awan said that he could demonstrate that these changes were made in the public interest. Despite the minister's clarification, the opposition senators rose from their seats following the voice vote, chanted loud slogans, swarmed around the Senate Chairman's podium, and threw shredded copies of the agenda. The opposition senators walked out of the House after registering their protest.

The government's and opposition's renewed tug of war over the Election Commission of Pakistan's recent decision in the PTI foreign funding case also made its way into the House. Ex-Senate Chairman and PPP stalwart Mian Raza Rabbani stated that the Election Commission decided in its judgement that the PTI got funding from banned sources. He stated that the PTI got donations from approximately 350 foreign companies and that several additional accounts are still hidden.

In response to the question of whether the government will submit a reference seeking a ban on PTI under Article 17, Rabbani reiterated that it was up to the government to choose between the legal and constitutional avenues.

As a top constitutional expert, he argued that the government should move against Imran Khan under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution for blatantly signing incorrect certificates with annual declarations of the party's assets for five consecutive years.

He remarked, “You can make a mistake once or twice but not for four or five years in a row. There should also be criminal investigations against PTI leaders who managed hidden and disowned accounts.’’

In response to Rabbani's speech, PTI Senator from Lahore Ejaz Chaudhry criticised the ECP's decision and expressed regret that several overseas Pakistanis were incorrectly depicted as foreigners in it, despite the fact that Nawaz Sharif had received funds from Osama Bin Laden to destabilise Benazir Bhutto's government.

Nisar Khoro, a PPP senator from Sindh, slammed the PTI for requesting that the foreign funding cases against all parties be decided together. It is worth noting that the case against the PTI was launched in November 2014, but the case against the PPP and PML-N was filed in 2018.

Khoro also denied the PTI's claims that the chief election commissioner is biassed and politically motivated. The PPP senator reminded the House that the PTI appointed the chief election commissioner. The Senate will reconvene on Friday at 10:30 am.

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Kamil Ali Agha gets notice for removing Shujaat from top slot

The PML-Q has issued a show-cause notice to its Punjab general secretary Kamil Ali Agha for taking an illegal step of calling a party meeting and removing Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain from the president’s slot.

The decision to issue the notice was taken at the PML-Q’s Central Execu­tive Committee meeting attended by party members, including secretary general Tariq Bashir Cheema, provincial presidents and central officials, in Islamabad on Thursday.

The participants expres­sed full confidence in the leadership of Chaudhry Shujaat through unanimous resolutions.

Presidents of the PML-Q Sindh, Balochistan, Khy­ber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan chapters disowned the party’s meeting held in Lahore last week.

They also strongly condemned the declaration regarding the health of Chaudhry Shujaat, as well as the Lahore meeting that dared to remove him and Cheema from their party positions.

Another resolution passed by the party’s CEC on Thursday declared the upcoming session summoned by Kamil Ali Agha on Aug 10 “un-mandatory” and added the Punjab organisation did not have the authority to summon any session. Moreover, party leaders who participated in the meeting earlier called by Senator Agha would also be suspended, the resolution said.

Since the PML-Q ‘CEC’ meeting held last week, led by Senator Agha in Lahore, had decided to hold intra-party elections in 10 days and constituted a five-member election commission, it is learnt the PML-Q has approached the election commission and sought to stop the “illegal” election called by the party’s Punjab general secretary.

The rift within the PML-Q and, particularly within the family of Chaudhrys of Gujrat, had surfaced after party president Shujaat had written a letter to the party’s 10 MPAs, including Chaud­hry Parvez Elahi, to vote for PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz, who was contesting the chief minister’s election against Mr Elahi himself.

Soon after Mr Elahi won the chief minister’s election with the votes of all 10 PML-Q MPAs, Senator Agha had called a central executive committee meeting and passed different resolutions, including seeking removal of president Shujaat and secretary general Cheema.

The meeting was atten­ded by 83 out of the total 150 members of the committee. The quorum of the meeting was 40 members.

 

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Kremlin says China has the right to hold military drills around Taiwan

The Kremlin said on Thursday that China had the sovereign right to hold major military drills around Taiwan and accused the United States of artificially fuelling tensions in the region.

China fired multiple missiles around Taiwan on Thursday as it launched unprecedented military drills a day after a visit by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the self-ruled island that Beijing regards as its sovereign territory.

Asked about China’s drills, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “This is China’s sovereign right.”

“The tension in the region and around Taiwan was provoked… by the visit of Nancy Pelosi,” Peskov told reporters on a conference call. “It was an absolutely unnecessary visit and an unnecessary provocation.”

Pelosi was the highest-profile elected US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years, and said her trip made it “unequivocally clear” that the United States would not abandon a democratic ally.

It sparked a furious reaction from Beijing, which vowed “punishment” and announced military drills in the seas around Taiwan — some of the world’s busiest waterways.

The exercises, which began around 12 pm (0400 GMT), involve “live-firing”, according to state media.

The exercises are taking place in multiple zones around Taiwan — at some points within just 20 kilometres (12 miles) of the shore — and will conclude at midday on Sunday.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said it was closely watching the drills.

“The Ministry of National Defence stresses that it will uphold the principle of preparing for war without seeking war, and with an attitude of not escalating conflict and causing disputes,” it said in a statement.

Taiwan’s 23 million people have long lived with the possibility of an invasion, but that threat has intensified under President Xi Jinping, China’s most assertive ruler in a generation.

The island is once again a flashpoint between the United States and a Chinese leadership keen to project strength ahead of a crucial ruling party meeting this autumn at which Xi is expected to be given an unprecedented third term.

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James Webb telescope captures the most distant star in marvelous detail

The James Webb Telescope has taken a new image of the most distant star, nearly 28 billion light years away, and has captured it in stunning detail.

Researchers were able to spot galaxies and had a glimpse of a star called Earendel using the telescope.

Earendel means 'morning or rising star' and is situated in a galaxy called Sunrise Arc. The star is aligned with the galaxy cluster providing maximum magnification.

Dan Coe at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Maryland said, “Nobody’s ever seen a star this highly magnified, not to mention a galaxy.”

Since light takes time to travel, the pictures of the star Earendel are the way it was 900 million years ago, soon after the Big Bang.

JWST is expected to have its next round of observation in December which will reveal what Earendel and Sunrise Arc are composed of. Coe says, "We’re all made of starstuff, but that stuff wasn’t around in the early universe. This is a rare opportunity to see if the heavy elements were there in this star 13 billion years ago.”

Astronomers from the Space Telescope Science Institute in Maryland wrote in a published paper, "JWST was designed to study the first stars. Until recently, we assumed that meant populations of stars within the first galaxies. But in the past three years, three individual strongly lensed stars have been discovered. This offers new hope of directly observing individual stars at cosmological distances with JWST."

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PM visits KP to review relief work in flood-affected areas

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has visited Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to review relief and rehabilitation work in flood-affected areas.

The Prime Minister was given a briefing about the relief operation being carried out in the flood affected areas and damages of infrastructure in Tank district.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the collective efforts by federal and provincial governments and departments was inevitable to ensure early rehabilitation of the people affected by flash floods caused by torrential rains.

The prime minister, during his visit to the flood-affected areas of Tank district of opposition-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, lauded the efforts of the National Disaster Management Authority and provincial disaster management authorities for striving to rescue and relief the affected population.

The prime minister urged the KP government to enhance the compensation of existing Rs 0.8 million for the deceased to Rs1 million to bring it at par with that of the provincial government.

“Financial compensation is nothing but it will help them live through the challenges of life. This is not competition. This is complimentary. This is our responsibility,” he added.

JUI Chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman and Advisor to Prime Minister Engineer Amir Muqam were also present on this occasion.

 

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PKR continues to gain ground vs dollar, trades at Rs223 in interbank

The Pakistani rupee gained Rs5.79 in early morning interbank trade as the local unit continued its winning streak against the dollar for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday.

The greenback was trading at Rs223.

The rupee closed at 228.80 on Wednesday after recording its highest single-day gain against the foreign currency. The dollar had slumped 4.19% against the rupee, the highest since November 2, 1998, when the greenback fell by Rs5.10.

The local unit is gaining ground on the back of higher inflows from exporters and decreased import payments, with hopes that the cash strapped country was getting closer to securing a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) boosting sentiment.

The latest trade numbers showing a decline in import numbers also helped in appreciation of the rupee.

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Islamabad's Red Zone sealed ahead of PTI protest against ECP

After the PTI announced a protest against the Election Commission of Pakistan, Islamabad's district administration on Thursday sealed the Red Zone and placed containers at the entry points of the federal capital.

On Monday, PTI Chairman Imran Khan had announced a protest, calling on his supporters to gather outside the ECP headquarters in Islamabad to demand Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja’s resignation.

Entry into the Red Zone is banned for protesters and all unconcerned people. Personnel of law enforcement agencies including anti-riot force, Rangers, FC and police have been deployed around the red zone.

Entry into the Red Zone will be allowed only through Margalla Road.

During an exclusive interview with a private TV channel yesterday, Imran Khan alleged that the electoral body was not bringing forward findings into the funding of the PML-N and PPP.

"We will go to the Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan against the Election Commissioner as he has insulted us by calling us foreign-funded," he said.

"We will also protest peacefully in front of the Election Commission's premises."

"We will not go to Red Zone," he clarified.

 

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Weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt wins first gold medal for Pakistan in Commonwealth Games

Weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt has won the gold medal for Pakistan in the Commonwealth Games 2022 with a record lift of 405kg.

This is the first gold for Pakistan in any category in the ongoing games in the United Kingdom city of Birmingham. Earlier Hussain Shah won a bronze medal which is the first medal in the games. However, Butt provided a highlight for Pakistan by winning the first gold medal.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Pakistani athlete who provided this proud moment for Pakistan.

Nooh Dastagir Butt has set a new Commonwealth Games record by lifting 173kg in snatch in the 109+kg category. Butt also set another record by lifting 232kg in clean and jerk. Overall, he lifted 405kg - another CWG record.

New Zealand's David Andrew got silver by lifting 394kg whereas India's Singh Gurdeep managed to win bronze by lifting an overall 390kg.

Earlier, In the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Butt had got a bronze medal in the 105+kg category. In the same games, Talha Talib also bagged bronze in the 62kg category.

In 2006, Shujauddin Malik won the only gold for Pakistan in the 85kg category in CWG's weightlifting event.

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Lt Gen Asif Ghafoor appointed Corps Commander Quetta

Lieutenant General Asif Ghafoor has been appointed Commander 12 Corps the military said, a day after the martyrdom of Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali in a helicopter crash in Balochistan.

"Lieutenant General Asif Ghafoor appointed Commander 12 Corps, Quetta," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement Wednesday night.

"He is replacing Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali HI(M) TBT and Bar, shaheed who embraced shahadat [martyrdom] in a helicopter crash due to bad weather during flood relief operations in Lasbela, Balochistan, on August 1, 2022," the military's media wing added.

The wreckage of a military helicopter that went missing Monday night was found in a coastal district of Balochistan and none of the six officers and crew on board has survived the crash.

Commander 12 Corps Lieutenant General Sarfaraz Ali, Major General Amjad Hanif, Brigadier Muhammad Khalid, Major Saeed Ahmed, Major M Talha Manan and Naik Mudassar Fayyaz were on board the Mi-17 helicopter of Army Aviation.

Lt Gen Ali was supervising relief operations in Balochistan, which has been hit hard by flash floods triggered by the heavy monsoon rains in the province

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Appointed CEC on neutrals’ guarantee, says IK

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday asked if the country could be held back for the appointment of the army chief, suggesting that instead of thinking about what will happen in November, the focus should be on bringing stability back to Pakistan.

In an interview with journalist Imran Riaz Khan on Express News, Imran said that while the army played an important part in the country’s national security, economic stability was equally important.

“We have to choose […] do we want stability or a new army chief?” he said in response to a question.

He then went on to give the example of the Soviet Union, that according to him, broke apart due to economic instability.

“Right now, the more important issue than the army chief’s appointment is stability and only one thing can bring that — elections,” Imran said, highlighting that the aim should be to prevent Pakistan from falling into a place where “things go out of hand”.

He highlighted that the markets were tumbling, industries were closing down and the economy was in a freefall. “Now is the time to decide. But this fear in Zardari and Shehbaz [of losing the elections] is sabotaging the entire country,” the PTI chairman went on to say.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, who was given an extension by the previous PTI government in 2019, will leave his position on November 29 when his second three-year tenure comes to an end.

The next army chief’s appointment is at times mentioned as one of the major subplots in the ongoing political crisis engulfing the country.

In an interview with BBC Urdu in May, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said: “Imran Khan wanted to do things his own way on the matter of the new army chief’s appointment. He wanted to ensure the protection of his political interests and the continuity of his rule.”

The remarks were in response to when the interviewer brought up the impression that former prime minister Imran Khan was ousted over the new army chief’s appointment.

That same month, Imran said he never wanted to bring his own army chief and that he never meddled in Pakistan Army’s affairs.

But as if the appointment is seemingly at the heart of the matter, President Arif Alvi had late last month said in his opinion there was “no harm” in appointing the next army chief before the expiry of the incumbent’s term.

“In my opinion, there is no harm in making the army chief’s appointment ahead of time,” he told reporters.

In the interview, Imran fired broadsides at the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and criticised Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.

He said that it was the “neutrals” — a euphemism Khan uses to describe the military establishment — who suggested the latter’s name as the head of the ECP.

He said that according to the 18th Amendment, heads of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), ECP and caretaker governments were supposed to be decided amicably by all the political parties.

“At the time of CEC’s appointment, there had been a deadlock [among the parties]. So, the neutrals approached us and said that the country needed to move forward.

“They suggested Sikandar Sultan’s name. I didn’t even know him [back then]. But people told us that he was PML-N’s man,” Imran recalled, saying that when he told the neutral about this, they guaranteed that the CEC would stay neutral.

“But we made a mistake of appointing him because in all these years, from day one, he has been passing decisions against us,” the PTI leader regretted.

And the worst thing the CEC did was create hurdles in the approval of the electronic voting machines (EVM), he continued.

“He did his best to oppose them and so did the other two parties (PML-N and PPP) because they are experts at rigging,” Imran said, adding that PTI would file a reference against the CEC in the Supreme Judicial Council.

He added that despite having all the evidence right in front of his eyes, Raja refused to intervene. “How can he let votes be bought? He has no shame.”

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Fawad says banning PTI ‘not up to’ govt

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday stood adamant in the face of the government's announcement it may file a declaration against the party in the Supreme Court, saying that "it is not up to you" to ban Imran Khan or the party.

His remarks, during a press conference, followed Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah saying that the government can give a declaration to the Supreme Court, on the basis of verified evidence, that PTI is a foreign aided party and if the apex court upholds this declaration, "the party will stand dissolved".

Fawad said that a reference has been filed against Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and that the party will appeal against the Election Commission of Pakistan's decision, which he declared in contravention to the law and the Constitution.

A day earlier, the ECP in a unanimous verdict, ruled that the PTI received funds from "prohibited" sources.

The PTI leader also announced a protest outside the ECP office.

He alleged that parties part of the Pakistan Democratic Movement alliance had "met the chief election commissioner" before the verdict was announced.

Speaking to Geo News, Rana Sanaullah said that PTI would be "dissolved" if the Supreme Court upholds the declaration of the government.

“ECP has made a 100% correct decision,” the interior minister said, adding that the judgment "proved PTI is a foreign-funded party". He accused the party of hiding its accounts and tampering its financial record.

The PML-N leader, citing the ECP verdict, said the PTI accepted funds from 34 foreigners and 351 companies in violation of the Political Party Act and the Election Act.

ECP’s ruling "proved Khan is a liar and forger”, the interior minister said, adding that the ruling alliance has devised a future plan after the verdict.

He maintained that they would "show the real face of Imran Khan" to the people.

In its verdict, the ECP said that the party, in violation of the Constitution, had received funds from 34 foreigners. The party received funds from US, Australia and UAE.

The party accepted funds from a US business personality, it said, and added, “13 unidentified accounts also surfaced during the probe in the PTI funding case.”

The ECP said that the PTI had submitted a false affidavit about the party’s accounts. PTI Chairman Imran Khan had submitted a false F1 form to the ECP, it added.

After a damning verdict by the ECP, PTI leader Farrukh Habib said that foreign funding was "not proved" against the party.

The verdict disappointed those who were pushing the narrative of foreign funding against the PTI, said Habib. He said that the party was of the view that it was a case of prohibited funding, not foreign funding.

Raising questions over the ECP, the PTI leader said that the Islamabad High Court had ordered a probe into the accounts of all the political parties without any discrimination.

He said that the scrutiny committee tasked to probe the accounts of PTI completed its work on time but the committees established to check the accounts of PPP and PML were yet to submit their report.

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In major decline, US dollar sheds over Rs12 in interbank trade

The US dollar continued to lose ground against the rupee for the fourth successive session during intraday trade in the interbank market as Pakistan's import pressure witnessed a decline in July.

During Wednesday's intraday trade, the dollar lost Rs12.38 and was being traded at Rs226 against the rupee, down from 238.38 from Tuesday's close in the interbank.

The dollar started losing ground on Friday after the rupee — ranked among the world's worst performing currencies — plunged for 10 straight sessions during the last days of July — and depreciated around 5% just last week.

Data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has shown that imports have plunged by 38.3% over the previous month as a sizable cut in imports was witnessed after the government banned a number of luxury items to manage the shortage of dollars in the economy.

Not only did imports decrease, but exports, too, witnessed a plunge. However, pressure on the rupee eased as the trade deficit reduced by 18.3% to $2.64 billion in July, 2022 against $3.235 billion in July, 2021. In June, 2022, the gap was at $4.96 billion.

Arif Habib Limited's head of research Tahir Abbas told Geo.tv that with reducing pressure from imports along with lower demand, the currency is stabilising and expected to appreciate further.

Capital market expert Muhammad Saad Ali said external account data is encouraging and will further boost the economy.

The rupee also strengthened after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that Pakistan has completed the last precondition — increasing the levy on petroleum products — for the combined seventh and eighth reviews.

IMF's Resident Representative for Pakistan Esther Perez Ruiz said in a statement Tuesday that a board meeting is tentatively scheduled for late August once adequate financing assurances are confirmed.

In light of the lender's statement, Abbas noted that further inflows from friendly countries, along with the IMF tranche disbursement, expected by the end of this month will also play a role in stabilising the economy.

The Pakistani rupee has lost more than 30% of its value against the greenback this year and the country’s dollar debt has reached record lows as it stares down at a $1 billion bond payment in December.

"News flow that Pakistan is closing in on the resumption of IMF programme — such as IMF acknowledgement that Pakistan has fulfilled all prior conditions — [...] have increased optimism for greater macroeconomic stability in future," Ali said.

The nation is striving to stave off fears it will follow Sri Lanka into default this year with the government working to secure billions of dollars not only from the IMF but also from countries like China and Saudi Arabia.

Talking about the ongoing political situation, Ali said that it seems that both the government and the PTI are not pushing for early elections, which can "delay the steps" needed to ensure macroeconomic stability.

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Hasan Ali dropped as PCB announces squads for Asia Cup, Netherlands tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced squads for the ICC World Cup Super League ODI matches against the Netherlands and the T20 Asia Cup, dropping fast bowler Hasan Ali and replacing him with Naseem Shah.

The PCB unveiled a 16-member squad for the three-match series against the Netherlands starting from Aug 16, and a 15-member squad for the Asia Cup which will commence from Aug 27.

Hasan was player of the tournament in Pakistan's Champions Trophy win in 2017. But the 28-year-old took just three wickets in two Tests in Sri Lanka last month, claimed only three wickets for 222 runs in his last three ODIs and went wicket-less in two of his last three T20 internationals.

Salman Ali Agha, who toured England in 2021 for the ODIs, has also been recalled for for the Rotterdam matches.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is recovering from a knee injury, has been retained in the ODI and T20I sides. According to the PCB, his rehabilitation programme will be overseen by the team trainer and physiotherapist, who will also decide on his return to international cricket.

According to Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim, the management had made only necessary changes to the squad.

"Both the competitions are important for us and we have picked our best available players in consultation with the captain and head coach."

Commenting on Hasan, Wasim said the pacer had been given a break from international cricket and he had been replaced by Shah.

"He [Shah] is express fast and can give further impetus to the fast bowling department, which already has the likes of Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shahnawaz Dahani," the chief selector said.

He added that Naseem had not played any international white-ball cricket but had demonstrated with the red-ball his skills as an attacking pacer with an ability to swing the ball.

“Salman Ali Agha has been recalled to the ODI side after he performed well in the past two Pakistan Cup tournaments, averaging 40.33 and 48.8, respectively. He also gives Babar Azam an additional bowling option.”

The training camp for the players will be held in Lahore from Aug 6 to Aug 11, during which they will also play two 50-over matches.

The national side will depart for Amsterdam on Aug 12 (Friday), while T20I players will join the squad in Dubai for the T20 Asia Cup on Aug 22.

Squads
Netherlands ODIs: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mehmood.

T20 Asia Cup: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir.

Player Support Personnel: Mansoor Rana (manager), Saqlain Mushtaq (head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant to head coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Shaun Tait (bowling coach), Drikus Simmon (trainer/strength and conditioning coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Ibrahim Badees (media and digital manager), Lt Col (retd) Asif Mahmood (team security manager), Talha Ejaz (team analyst), Malang Ali (team masseur) and Dr Najeebullah Soomro (team doctor). Col Muhammad Imran will replace Lt Col Asif Mahmood as team security manager for the T20I Asia Cup.

 

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Pakistan reaffirms ‘One-China’ policy over Taiwan issue

Pakistan reaffirmed its strong commitment to ‘One-China’ policy and expressed firm support to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Pakistan is deeply concerned over the evolving situation in the Taiwan Strait, which has serious implications for regional peace and stability,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

The FO furthered that the world was already reeling through a critical security situation due to the Ukraine conflict, with destabilising implications for international food and energy security.

“The world cannot afford another crisis that has negative consequences for global peace, security and economy,” it maintained.

The statement added “Pakistan strongly believes that inter-state relations should be based on mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful resolution of issues by upholding of principles of UN charter, international law and bilateral agreements.”

On Tuesday, United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed in Taiwan evening, defying a string of increasingly stark warnings and threats from China that have sent tensions between the world's two superpowers soaring.

Pelosi, second in line to the presidency, is the highest profile elected US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years and Beijing has made clear that it regards her presence as a major provocation, setting the region on edge.

Live broadcasts showed the 82 year old lawmaker, who flew on a US military aircraft, being greeted at Taipei's Songshan Airport by foreign minister Joseph Wu.

Following her arrival, China's defence ministry said that the Chinese military has been put on high alert and will launch "targeted military operations".

Separately, the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command said it will conduct joint military operations near Taiwan from Tuesday night.

 

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Exports tumble 24pc in July

The country’s exports of merchandise entered a negative growth in July after 22 months when the economy recovered from the impact of Covid-19.

The export proceeds fell 5.17 per cent to $2.21 billion in the first month of the current fiscal year from $2.34bn in the corresponding month last year, data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed.

The export proceeds tumbled by 23.95pc indicating a downward trend in the export sector. Last time, the exports posted a negative growth of 14.75pc in August 2020.

In FY22, for the first time, not only the export target was achieved but it exceeded the psychological barrier of $30bn. Pakistan’s exports remained below this level for the last decade.

Pakistan’s exports increased 26.6pc to $31.845bn in the just-ended fiscal year, up from $25.160bn a year ago. Exports grew 6.48pc to $2.89bn in June, up from $2.72bn in the previous year.

The textile sector has already complained about the rising cost of energy and raw materials mainly due to massive rupee depreciation. Moreover, exporters have also complained about refunds that stuck with the Federal Board of Revenue.

 

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Pakistan desires to further strengthen bilateral trade relations with Japan & Indonesia

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar has expressed Pakistan's desire to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations with Japan and Indonesia.

She was talking to Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Honda Taro and Indonesian Ambassador in Pakistan Adam Tugio, who separately called on her in Islamabad.

During these meetings, bilateral ties with particular focus on trade and investment were discussed.

Talking to the Japanese Vice-Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar appreciated the trusted development partnership between the two countries.

The Minister of State also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting international peace and stability.

In her interaction with the Indonesian ambassador, she underscored more business-to-business contacts and generating momentum through high level visits and connectivity.

 

 

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Nawaz urges govt to take legal action against Imran following ECP verdict

Former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday urged the federal government to take "immediate legal action" against PTI chairman Imran Khan following the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) verdict against his party in the prohibited funding case.

"It has been proven today [...] and the entire nation knows now that Imran Khan is the biggest thief in [the country's] history," he alleged.

Earlier today, the ECP, in its verdict, ruled that the PTI had did indeed receive prohibited funds.

The ECP said the party had only owned eight accounts before the commission and declared 13 accounts to be unknown.

In its order, the commission also said that it was "constrained to hold that Imran Khan failed to discharge his obligations as mandated under the Pakistani statutes."

Talking to reporters outside his residence in London today, Nawaz said that Imran used to give "lectures" to people about honesty. "Today, the ECP's verdict has shown that it is actually him who is the biggest thief in history.

"He knew that he had committed the biggest money laundering. This is the reason he kept demanding the chief election commissioner's resignation," he said.

"The way Imran took money from foreign nationals proves that he was the person who brought foreign agenda into the country," Nawaz claimed.

He recalled that the PML-N had been leading the country towards progress, regretting that all the efforts went in vain because of Imran's actions. "He has ruined the economy and broken our backs.

"And he did all this for a foreign agenda," the PML-N leader said, demanding that people such as former justice Saqib Nisar — who termed Imran sadiq and ameen and initiated proceedings in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the PML-N — should also be punished.

"All these things are present on the record. And there will be a time where all these questions will need to be answered."

Nawaz reiterated that these people, along with Imran, were responsible for bringing Pakistan to the point where it was today and urged all the political parties to take action against them.

"This man Imran is extremely dangerous for Pakistan," he stated, adding that he should be punished as soon as possible.

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Imran Khan approves 18-member Punjab cabinet

PTI Chairperson Imran Khan Tuesday approved the 18-member Punjab cabinet in which no member of the PML-Q has been included.

According to the sources, the 18-member cabinet constitutes of PTI MPAs, while the party chief also withdrew two ministries that were given to the PML-Q in the former chief minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar's cabinet.

Sources privy to the matter added that Mian Mehmood-ul-Rashid is likely to get the Ministry of Local Government, Yasmin Rashid is likely to get the Ministry of Health, Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal might get the Ministry of Housing and Works, and Dr Murad Ras is likely to get the Ministry of Federal Education.

Muhammad Basharat Raja is likely to be given the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Hashim Jawan Bakht might get Finance Ministry, Khurram Shahzad Virk would get the Ministry of Law and Justice, Raja Yassir Humayun is likely to get the Ministry of Higher Education and Muhammad Hashim Dogar may get the Ministry of Interior.

The sources added that Ali Afzal Sahi, Chaudhry Latif Nazar Gujjar, Muhammad Mohsin Khan Leghari and Fayyaz ul Hassan Chohan might also be assigned some ministries.

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ECP’s verdict proves Imran ‘biggest thief’: Abbasi

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the judgment has proved Imran Khan is the "biggest thief".

The ECP, in its unanimous verdict today, said it has found that the PTI received prohibited funding from foreign nationals and companies.

Berating the PTI in his hard-hitting press conference following the judgment, Khaqan Abbasi said that Imran Khan received funding worth Rs1.5 billion illegally.

Those who gave funds to Imran Khan include Indian citizens, he added.

“If the amount was meant for welfare then how Rs550 million were transferred into the accounts of the political party,” he asked the PTI leader.

The whole conspiracy stands exposed before the masses as the funds were received by the PTI from foreign nationals and companies to do politics in Pakistan, the PML-N leader said, adding “the law will take its course on the matter.”

On the other hand, PTI leader Farrukh Habib, after a damning verdict by the ECP, said that foreign funding was not proved against the party.

The verdict disappointed those who were pushing the narrative of foreign funding against the PTI, said Farrukh Habib. He maintained that they were of the view that it was a case of prohibited funding but not of foreign funding.

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PM concerned over safety of missing army officials

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his concern over the safety of Commander XII corps Lieutenant General Sarfaraz Ali and other six officials onboard the helicopter, which went missing in Balochistan.

According to details, the prime minister in a telephonic conversation with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa received the latest information regarding the missing Army Aviation helicopter.

COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa informed PM Shehbaz Sharif about the ongoing search operations since last night.

The premier expressed his concern over the safety of Commander of 12 Corps Lieutenant General Sarfaraz Ali and other six officials and jawans onboard the helicopter.

He termed Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali a thorough professional and an excellent person. The prime minister said the entire nation was deeply saddened over the incident and prayed for the safe return of the brave sons of the soil.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said the officers and jawans who provided assistance to the flood victims had emerged as an exemplary example of dedication and service. He added that serving the brothers, sisters and children in the hour of need was the real strength of the Pakistani nation.

A Pakistan Army aviation helicopter with important personalities aboard, including Commander 12 Corps Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali, has gone missing in Balochistan’s Lasbela district, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Monday.

According to the military’s media wing, the military helicopter was on a flood relief operation in Lasbela.

“A Pakistan army aviation helicopter which was on flood relief operations in Lasbela, Balochistan lost contact with ATC,” the ISPR tweeted.

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PTI maintains all accounts 'legal' after ECP says party received prohibited funds

The PTI on Tuesday rejected the ruling of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that the party receiving prohibited funding.

The ECP, in a unanimous verdict, said the commission found that 34 foreign donations were taken in fundraising. The donations were taken from America, Australia, Canada, and the UAE.

In addition, PTI took funds from an American businessman, the ECP said.

Unknown accounts have also come to light, said the commission in its verdict, adding that hiding accounts are a "violation" of Article 17 of the Constitution.

The ECP also found that PTI Chairman Imran Khan submitted a false Nomination Form I and that the affidavit provided regarding party accounts was false.

The ECP has issued a show-cause notice to PTI.

In a press conference following the verdict, PTI Central Deputy Secretary Information Farrukh Habib said that foreign funding was "not proved against the party".

"The verdict disappointed those who were pushing the narrative of foreign funding against the PTI," said Habib.

He said that the PTI was of the view from day one that the case was related to prohibited funding and not foreign funding.

Raising questions over the ECP, the PTI leader said that the IHC had ordered a probe into the accounts of all the political parties without any discrimination.

He said that the scrutiny committee tasked to probe the accounts of PTI completed its work on time but the committees established to check the accounts of PPP and PML were yet to submit their report.

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KP Assembly passes resolution for removal of CEC

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passed a resolution expressing “serious reservations” about the Election Commission of Pakistan and demanded the immediate resignation of the chief election commissioner and ECP members.

The resolution, which was moved by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, caused a commotion in the house as the opposition parties strongly protested the move, calling it against parliamentary traditions.

“On the basis of undeniable evidence, this house expresses serious reservations against the Election Commission and demands that the sitting Chief Election Commissioner and all its members should resign forthwith so all political parties constitute non-controversial and acceptable commission, which is also a need of the hour,” said the resolution.

Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra requested Idrees Khan Khattak, who chaired the proceedings, to give him the floor to move an “important resolution”. The chair relaxed the rules and asked the mover to present the resolution. Mr Jhagra hurriedly read the resolution, which was passed with majority.

The opposition members were not allowed to speak on the merits or demerits of the resolution. This caused rumpus in the assembly.

After passing the resolution, the chair gave the floor to Awami National Party (ANP) parliamentary leader Sardar Hussain Babak. He said that passing the resolution in such a hurry was against the parliamentary norms and traditions.

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Pakistan Army helicopter from Balochistan to Karachi goes missing

A Pakistan Army aviation helicopter en route from Uthal, Balochistan to Karachi with important personalities aboard has gone missing on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed in a tweet.

Taking to Twitter, the military's media wing said that the aviation helicopter was on a flood relief operation in Lasbela, Balochistan when it lost contact with air traffic control (ATC).

"Six individuals were on board, including Commander 12 Corps who was supervising flood relief operations in Balochistan," the tweet said, adding that a search operation is underway.

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National Assembly speaker likely to accept more PTI resignations

According to media reports, the National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf is likely to accept more resignations of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Members.

Earlier, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf accepted the resignation of 11 PTI MNAs last Thursday.

Earlier, the resignations of 11 PTI MNAs including Shireen Mazari, Ali Muhammad Khan, Ijaz Shah, Farrukh Habib, Shandana Gulzar, Fazal Muhammad, Fakhar Zaman, Abdul Shakoor Shad, Jameel Ahmed and Akram Cheema were approved initially and more resignations will be accepted in phases.

According to media reports, the NA Speaker consulted with Khursheed Shah, Ayaz Sadiq and Khawaja Saad Rafique before accepting the resignations and sent a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to denotify the lawmakers.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) with Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the chair.

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CM Punjab announces to extend Rescue 1122

Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi has announced to extend the Rescue 1122 emergency bike service to 27 districts of the province during this year.

Chaudhry Parvez Elahi approved the extension of Rescue 1122 service in all tehsils of Punjab this year as soon as he assumed the post of Chief Minister.

In a statement, he said the emergency service is a service to humanity.

CM Chaudhry Parvez Elahi says Rescue 1122 is a valuable and proud organization. We laid the foundation of this important institution in Punjab, today this institution is recognized not only in Pakistan but also globally. Now the scope of its service will be extended to 86 more tehsils of the province. The scope of motorbike rescue service will also be extended to 27 more districts of Punjab.

He further said that the work of rescuers is not just a duty but it is equivalent to serving humanity.

 

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ANF recovers 68 kg of drugs

Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) on Monday, recovered more than 60 kg of drugs while conducting the operation near to Islamabad-Lahore motorway.

According to the details, ANF Intelligence recovered around 68 kg of drugs from a Honda Civic, in which 36 kg of opium and 32 kg of weed were included. While conducting the operation, ANF personnel detained the accused, Muhammad Musa, who was a resident of Lahore.

According to media reports, the intelligence officials mandated that the accused would be charged with drug offenses and further investigations have been started.

Earlier, a successful operation was also carried out by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar. Drugs were recovered from the passenger’s stomach. The passenger was going to Bahrain on a private airline.

The spokesperson of ANF told that the accused is from Peshawar, but a case has been registered against the accused according to the Anti-Narcotics Act.

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Pakistan reports 656 Covid cases

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

 

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Monsoon rains claim 9 more lives in Balochistan

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 villages near Gambat have been flooded and the road link between Khairpur and Gambat and Kangri was lost.

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Govt decreases petrol price

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on Sunday announced a reduction in price of petrol by Rs 3.05 per litre and a hike of Rs8.95 in price of diesel.

Following the changes in the prices, petrol will now be available for Rs227.19 per litre. Previously, petrol was being sold in the country for Rs230.34 per litre.

On the other hand, kerosene oil, which was previously available for Rs196.45 per litre, will now be sold for Rs201.07 per litre following an increase of Rs4.62.

Light diesel oil registered a slight decrease of Rs0.12, after which it will be sold for Rs191.32 per litre as against the previous rate of Rs191.44 per litre.

According to the notification, the changes were introduced following a reduction in the prices of petroleum products in the international market.

The government is able to decrease the price of petrol by Rs 3.05 per litre. The price of diesel has however gone up by Rs 8.95. These prices are effective from midnight August 1. Pakistan Zindabad pic.twitter.com/YQGp9bYiss

— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) July 31, 2022

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Pak Army, Frontier Corps busy restoring connectivity to flood-hit areas: ISPR

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.

Flash floods have been reported in the local nullahs of Mohmand, it added.

Southern Punjab

To the south of Punjab, "all hill torrents are flowing normal except some increased flow in Mithawan, Kaha and Sanghar Hill torrents", said the statement.

Local commanders visited Rajanpur and DG Khan where relief items were distributed among flood affectees and medical camps have been established, the ISPR said.

Balochistan

In the Balochistan town of Jhal Magsi, "complete connectivity of Gandhawa has been restored".

There is no longer any isolated area in Gandhawa and its surroundings, the military's media wing said, adding that further relief activities are underway.

Among these is an army medical camp which has thus far treated 115 patients.

Over in Khuzdar city, the M-8 motorway is still cut off. "Work on the resumption of connectivity is underway," said the ISPR statement.

According to the statement, a field medical camp established by CMH Khuzdar and FC in Hafizabad has treated 145 affected people.

In the small town of Naseerabad, the ISPR said that no rain was reported throughout the day.

"Relief activities are underway for the affected population of Babakot and Gandakha," said the statement, adding that food supplies as well as cooked meals were distributed to flood victims.

In addition, a field medical camp in Gandakha treated various patients.

In Balochistan's Chaman district, no rain was reported. The Bab-e-Dosti (Friendship Gate) at the Pak-Afghan border is "fully functional", said the ISPR.

No rain was reported in Noshki town either. "Relief efforts are underway for the stranded population," said the ISPR.

According to the statement, "cooked meals were served to over 1,000 people".

The military's media wing said that the N-40 highway, which is damaged at three places, "has been repaired and traffic resumed".

Over in Lasbela district, no rain has fallen in the past few hours and the situation is stabilizing, said the ISPR.

According to the military's media wing, five field medical camps are providing medical care in Naka, Bela, Duddar, Hub and Gadani.

The N-25 highway has been opened and repair work on bridges is underway, said the statement.

"General Officer Commanding at Gawadar visited Hub and Uthal," the statement said further, adding: "Two sorties of MI-17 were conducted and 1,500kg of ration items were distributed in Hub and Uthal."

In Kila Saifullah, rainfall was reported in the entire district.

The ISPR said that a field medical camp established at Khazina treated more than 200 patients.

Gilgit-Baltistan

The troops also carried out operations in Gilgit-Baltistan.

"Two mudslides were reported near Sikandarabad at Karakoram Highway," said the ISPR.

"The road has been opened for one way traffic by FWO," it added.

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Instagram to pause ‘TikTok-like features’

Instagram will pause features that users have campaigned against and complained make the social network too much like TikTok, according to a report in the Platformer tech newsletter.

Celebrity sisters Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner were some of the most vocal users to have posted messages on social media this week calling for the company to “make Instagram Instagram again” and stop trying to be like TikTok.

The slogan sprang from a Change.org petition that had received more than 229,000 signatures as of late Thursday. “Let’s go back to our roots with Instagram and remember that the intention behind Instagram was to share photos, for Pete’s sake,” the petition read.

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri had responded to the controversy earlier this week with a video on Twitter in which he said the features were a work in progress, and being tested with a small number of users.

Changes included playing up short-form video, displaying it full-screen the way TikTok does, and recommending posts from strangers. “We are going to have to lean into that shift.” Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg backed that position during an earnings call on Wednesday, saying that people are increasingly watching videos online.

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