Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman has stated that the developed world is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases and that the developed world should do more to reduce emissions rather than putting pressure on the most vulnerable countries.
She made these views during a session titled “The Future of Democracy” at the World Economic Forum 2022 in Davos, which is held every year.
Sherry said big international companies causing more pollution should show more responsibility to avoid environmental hazards.
She said democracy is the only solution to the problems of a multicultural country like Pakistan as it represents and protects the weaker sections of society and involves consensus, transparency and accountability.
She said dictatorships receive more aid, but they are not based on consensus.
Sherry Rehman took charge of the Climate Change Ministry on April 20.
Senior actor Khaled Anam took to his Instagram stories to taunt the Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz for removing ARY channel’s mic at a press interaction. She also referred to the channel as a blackmailing channel.
Earlier this month he grilled veteran cricketer Shahid Afridi for his recent statements regarding former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
He sarcastically pointed out how Shahid at times used to get out with zero runs on the cricket field.
In a recent interview with his family, Afridi stated, “I’ve liked Shehbaz Sharif since the beginning. Show me an administrator like him in Pakistan, you can’t because there is none,” countered the cricketer.
“I didn’t congratulate an Israeli prime minister, I congratulated a Pakistani prime minister. No matter who it was, I’d congratulate them,” he argued. “In my congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif, there was a protest as well, a personal protest between me and Imran Bhai,” he said. In his tweet, he wrote, “Congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif on being elected the 23rd prime minister of Pakistan and I hope that he will be able to use his management skills to bring Pakistan out of the current economic and political crisis.”
Afridi said Imran has been a role model for him since 1989 or 1990. “I wanted to become like him,” he said. “When he entered politics, I supported him. When he set up Shaukat Khanum, I supported him. Until he was in government, I supported him. But, I, my family my children, the whole of Pakistan had a lot of hopes for him,” he said.
The cricketer revealed that the 2013 election was the first time he had ever voted in his life. “A lot of educated people were inspired by Imran Bhai to go vote,” he said.
“I said everything as a Pakistani citizen. I did not have any political motives. And I will continue to say what I want. We have the right to do this and we should remember that,” he said.
The cricketer said he knew he would be criticised for congratulations PM Shehbaz but there were no political motives behind his message. He reiterated that he would have congratulated whomever was the premier because the position itself deserves respect. “We must respect our leaders so the world respects us,” he said.
“But if Imran Bhai says the [Durood Sharif], so do we every day in our prayers. But the fact of the matter is, God gives and God takes away. God gave Imran Khan and then He took it away. And He took it away because Imran Bhai made a lot of mistakes. And he should accept those mistakes,” said Afridi.
“If he accepts those mistakes, he will be able to create a good political party and come back stronger. I’ve always thought Imran Khan’s vision has been superb. It’s the vision of a leader. But to implement a vision, you need a team and he doesn’t have that team,” he criticised.
“The people he had were sidelined. Why were they sidelined? What things happened that Imran Bhai could improve? I feel like you should never leave the ground and for him, the ground is parliament. He should never leave parliament. After leaving it, you’re again coming out on the streets and on top of containers. Why are you doing this, friend?” he asked.
Once the video of his comments was uploaded online, it went viral, inviting a lot of criticism and hate from supporters of the former premier.
Earlier the Yeh Na Thi Hamari Kismat star shared his take on the new government’s decision to rescind the 10% increase on paycheck. He took to Instagram to share his stance.
Meanwhile actress Ayesha Omar liked his statement on a portal’s feed, showing her agreement.
While interacting with the media after his victory, the Prime Minister-elect announces 10% raise in salaries for those government employees who are receiving pay up to Rs100,000 per month. He also announces to jack up pension of retired civil, and military officials by 10% from April 1. Meanwhile, he also announces to increase the minimum wage of workers to Rs. 25,000 per month.
Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) said that oil marketing companies are supplying fuel to retailers but the deliveries are being slowed owing to road blockages in Punjab’s major cities, which could affect deliveries to filling stations.
It warned provincial authorities in Punjab that the road blockades have severed connectivity between major cities and neighboring areas, affecting fuel supplies inside the province.
The Oil Companies Advisory Council affirmed that there are sufficient stockpiles of gasoline products throughout the country, including depots in Punjab.
It also highlighted fears about the current scenario of roadblocks and the rumoured assumption of minimal stocks spreading on numerous platforms and asked the public to refrain from panic buying. Despite the roadblocks, there are enough stockpiles of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) in Punjab, and OMCs are constantly working to restock retail outlets on time.
OCAC expressed its concerns to the Chief Secretary of Punjab, requesting the local administration’s assistance in ensuring the safe and secure transit of tankers from different depots to different petrol outlets across the province till the scenario stabilizes.
Actor Iffat Omar took to her twitter handle to slam former PM Imran Khan for his recent statement that his wife Bushra Bibi is a domesticized woman and hence she doesn’t attends political rallies.
The London Nahi Jaunga star asked a sarcastic question to Imran that if Bushra Bibi is a homely woman than what to do you call to women who attend Jalsas?
Receently she grilled Khan for his sexist comments about the Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz.
During his speech at the Multan jalsa, Mr Khan said: “Someone sent me a clip on social media of Maryam’s speech, somewhere. She took my name so many times and with so much passion, I want to tell her that Maryam, please be careful, your husband might get upset the way you call my name again and again.”
Earlier she stated that former Khan is responsible for the offensive slogans and misconduct against PML-N leaders. The Aangan star said that Khan should be arrested for instigating hatred amongst Pakistanis.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Madinah on a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia yesterday.
As seen in a video going viral on social media, people started chanting slogans of ‘chor chor’ upon seeing the Shehbaz Sharif-led delegation.
After the pilgrims expressed outrage over the delegation including Shahzain Bugti and Marriyum Aurangzeb, the security guards surrounded the vehicle of Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders.
A crowd followed the government delegation and kept raising slogans against them.
Upon arrival, Prime Minister Sharif was received by Governor Medina Prince Faisal Bin Salman Al Saud and high-level Saudi officials. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, and other federal ministers are accompanying the prime minister.
This is PM Sharif’s first foreign trip after assuming office earlier this month.
During the visit, the premier will hold talks with the Saudi leadership, with particular focus on advancing economic, trade and investment ties and creation of greater opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in the kingdom.
Earlier this week she slammed Khan and his supporters for prototyping women, men and journalists who do not support him.
The Aye Musht-e-Khaak star said that if a woman speaks against him, she is termed as characterless, if a man speaks he is deemed as disloyal and if a journalist does it he is termed as “Paid journalist”.
In November 2021, when she appeared on Naumaan Ijaz’s talk show, G Sarkar on which she got candid about her political views.
“We grew up in Zia-ul-Haq’s era and then even saw Pervez Musharraf’s regime, itnay buray halaat nahi thay”, both were much better in comparison and the economic situation wasn’t as worse as in Imran Khan’s regime.
“He lied, PM Imran showed us dreams and then just shattered them.”
She also stated that she will never become a politician, even if she gets offered as politicians lie a lot and she cannot do that.
The Dour diva revealed that netizens often troll her and say that she has received money from Mariyam Nawaz or PML-N leaders.
Earlier Iffat tweeted sarcastically about PM Imran Khan.
Gold prices in Pakistan continued to rise as the Pakistani currency fell deeper versus the US dollar, pushing the precious metal to a high of Rs143,600 per tola.
The price of gold per tola increased by Rs1,950 per tola, as per the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association (ASSJA). Moreover, the price per 10 gramme jumped by Rs1,672 to Rs123,114.
Following yesterday’s gain of Rs1,950 per tola, the gold price has risen by Rs5,250 in the last four days (Friday-Tuesday).
During the current economic crisis, gold has resurfaced as a secure investment, and consumers have been eagerly buying gold to preserve their savings against inflation.
The rupee’s collapse, which reached an all-time low of Rs201.41 versus the US dollar in the interbank market, compelled the gold trading body to drastically raise the bullion price.
The price of yellow metal fell by $4 per ounce on the international market to settle at $1,858. When compared to the Dubai market, gold prices in Pakistan are roughly Rs1,500 lower.
There is no formal evidence in the petroleum division of Russia’s offer of inexpensive LNG, crude oil, and POL products, as former Prime Minister Imran Khan has often claimed.
Syed Zakria Ali Shah, Joint Secretary of Development and a spokesman for the Petroleum Division, stated this to a reporter.
According to sources in the petroleum sector, trading of crude oil, POL products, and LNG was not even on the table when Khan discussed the purchase of LNG. There was no mention in the meeting minutes of any Russian offer of providing LNG and gasoline at a 30 per cent lower rate.
According to the spokesman, the government wrote letters to Russia on March 30 through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in reference to the February 2022 visit of a Pakistan delegation, expressing Pakistan’s desire to enter long-term agreements on the import of crude, POL products, and LNG at discounted rates.
The Petroleum Division also wrote to the Foreign Ministry, asking if Russia had provided any lower tariffs on LNG and fuel items. He also stated that it had given two reminders to this effect in the first week of April 2022, but the ministry stated that it had not received any letter from Russia for conversation in this respect.
The Former energy minister, Hammad Azhar attracted the attention of his Russian peer, in a letter dated March 30, 2022, to an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on LNG cooperation that had been in force between the two friendly nations since 2017. The Russian minister was informed that Pakistan was willing to strengthen its partnership by expediting negotiations between the two selected nominees so that a long-term agreement for LNG delivery on a G2G basis could be reached as soon as possible.
Then-energy-minister recommended two to three Russian LNG cargoes each month, each holding 140,000 cubic metres of LNG.
There was no mention of any Russian offer in that letter, only a request for negotiation on a long-term contract for the import of gasoline and LNG at a reduced rate.
According to officials at the energy ministry, India has been purchasing crude oil from Russia for decades and has continued to do so despite EU and US sanctions imposed as a result of its conflict with Ukraine. They claimed that India’s foreign policy was largely independent due to its strong economic power and enticing market for large economies.
They further claimed that India had obtained a special dispensation from the US from its sanctions against Iran and had been buying crude oil and POL products from Iran despite US and UN sanctions for a long time. They claimed that India was the US’s strategic partner in the area against China.
“India always pitches its argument before the US saying if it does not import fuel from Iran, its economy will hurt and it will never be on a par with China. As far as Pakistan is concerned, it is not possible to import crude oil, POL products, and LNG at discounted rates even in the wake of EU and US sanctions on Russia, as the country’s economic muscle is very weak and the country is always dependent on the IMF programme”. The officials said that Pakistan had also failed to complete the IP gas line project just because of US and UN sanctions on Iran.
A beggar from Madhya Pradesh begged for four years and purchased a motorcycle worth Rs234,000 (INR90,000) for his wife.
He spent all of his savings on the bike as his wife complained about a backache from sitting on the tricycle he owned earlier. This story is from Amarwara village, where the beggar, Santosh Sahu, expressed his love for his wife by purchasing a small motorcycle.
Sahu is a disabled man who rides a tricycle and begs for money with his wife, Munni Sahu. Munni drags Sahu’s tricycle forward while the two beg.
Munni would occasionally fall while attempting to push the tricycle due to the poor road conditions. As a result, Santosh decided to purchase her a moped.
The pair begs for money at different spots from bus stops to mosques and temples, earning up to Rs1,000 (400 INR) per day. Santosh began saving money every day in order to purchase his wife’s dream bike. The couple is now back to their regular practise of begging in their freshly purchased motorcycle.
Visuals of a Professor at LUMS and a feminist activist, Nida Kirmani are being shared online, in which she is being severely manhandled by the Sindh Police.
These visuals are from a protest outside Karachi Press Club, organized at 4:30pm today by the families of Baloch missing persons, where Professor Kirmani and others joined in support. Baloch Yakjehti Committee and Voice For Baloch Missing Persons organized the protest and attendees included activist Baloch Amna Baloch, Zareena Baloch, the wife of still missing Sharif Baloch and others.
Invitation for the protest on May 24 at 4:30 pm – March from Karachi Press Club to C.M House
Breaking: Family members, including women and children, of several Baloch missing persons have been arrested from Karachi by Sindh Police. pic.twitter.com/LrwzrdNsE7
— The Balochistan Post – English (@TBPEnglish) May 24, 2022
The protesters demanded an explanation of the increased enforced disappearances ever since Pakistan’s first female suicide bombing took place inside the University of Karachi campus on April 26. Since then, several Baloch female students have been abducted in Karachi and Balochistan.
The police reached ahead of time and since the beginning of the protest, kept the whole area under heavy surveillance, interrogating the press until eventually they arrested a bunch of protesters and took them into custody.
Murtaza Wahab, Adviser to the Chief Minister Sindh and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also tweeted in support of the protesters.
On Tuesday, the Sindh government had imposed Section 144 across the province for at least 20 days. The police action today was taken in justification of keeping up that law. Eventually those arrested were released as well. Journalist Zia ur Rehman spoke to Team Current, and explained the rising unrest in Karachi following the multiple enforced disappearances ever since the University of Karachi suicide bombing.
Professor Kirmani tweeted a selfie from inside the police station, as those in custody wait to be given their phones back.
Dear friends, we are all safe. Waiting for the police to return everyone’s phones. We’ll be out soon. Don’t worry. pic.twitter.com/zR9AAMVIw1
In conversation with activist Sammi Deen Baloch, it was emphasised that when the initial arrests were made only two women were at the venue with some young students. The police also included lady constables who manhandled and dragged the women to the police van. After the arrests were made some protesters including Sammi Deen Baloch stood their ground outside the Karachi Press Club demanding their release. The police took pictures of every one and tried to make some activists sign what Sammi Deen called a “fake statement” which claimed that the police had mistakenly made the arrest but the protesters refused to sign and it was reported that the police’s behaviors softened when they realized that Professor Kirmani was one of the women.
Women and children peacefully protesting for the recovery of the disappeared pose no threat to the state and should be protected rather than harassed by law enforcement. They have an inalienable right to peaceful protest, and it is imperative to protect that right.
Instagram blogger @karachista1, on Tuesday, uploaded a story sharing several screenshots of conversations and images showing passengers’ items being confiscated at the Karachi and Lahore airport. Several social media users including lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaffery and actor and comedian Shafaat Ali, complained on Twitter about this being a ‘draconian step’.
The complaints ranged from AC Customs confiscating their private goods and others complaining that their bags were opened and imported items removed before they even landed in Karachi. Conflicting reports came forward with others reporting that they went through nothing like this. For some, only expensive makeup was confiscated and for others even biscuits and chocolates were not spared. Some customers were given receipts and some were not even informed.
The slip provided by the Airport Customs officers for future recovery of the items
So does this mean that if you plan on going abroad for a vacation this summer and want to bring back some goods for your family, you will not be allowed to take them from the airport? Pretty much.
We spoke to Irshad Gul, a Karachi businessman who regularly imports and exports items for his businesses. According to him, using passengers to bring back imported goods is usually considered an easy method of bringing imported items inside the country without paying any duty. He confirms that at the Karachi airport, Customs officers have become extremely vigilant, looking into all luggage bags and hand carries to scavenge for imported items. Large quantities of a single item like chocolates might be confiscated and you have to pay customs on them, but if you have a personal, small amount of chocolates, those should be allowed to go through. If you are planning to bring back some gifts from your vacation abroad, consider carrying only a few items which you can explain very well.
The irregularity in people’s online reported experiences only shows the usual inconsistency in Pakistani bureaucracy. A short while ago, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail tweeted an explanation for the airport and Customs staff’s behavior, clarifying that these steps are being taken to counter the smuggling of the banned items by professional packers. Although Ismail claims that ordinary citizens with a few items will not be harassed but citizens are reporting that even a few personal makeup items are being confiscated. Others say they were allowed to leave the airport unscathed.
As the govt has banned the import of a few non-essential items, we fear that smuggling of these items will increase. Therefore we have increased enforcement against professional khaipyas. Officials know who they are. Ordinary citizens bringing in a few items will not be harassed. pic.twitter.com/NFXJMAymUs
Finance Minister Miftah Ismail attached this official notice with his tweet, clarifying that all steps being taken by the airport staff are in accordance with government directive and compliance is necessary. Confiscated items include ‘food stuff, fruits, sanitary ware, used mobile phones and branded shoes’.
Several Twitter users including Shafaat Ali requested Miftah Ismail to take action as they believe personal products should be allowed and only commercial consignments should be subjected to these limitations.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz before starting her press conference in Lahore on Tuesday, removed ARY News’ mic from the table, accusing the media house of propaganda against state institutes and PML-N.
“Whoever is here from ARY, I completely respect you, but there is no way a media house can run a campaign against state institutes or start working on someone else’s agenda,” she added.
Senior journalist and anchorperson Kashif Abbasi of ARY News took to Twitter and said that ARY News has been removed from cables across Pakistan. It is being reported that ARY has been taken down in parts of Pakistan following the orders of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to the cable operators.
Abbasi blamed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb as the main reason for the orders. Abbasi tweeted, “Ary removed from cables across pakistan.Maryam nawaz ne jalsa main ary pe tanqeed shuru ker aur ab Marium ne channel band ker dia.opposition main jamhooriat ka dard hai ke sone nahin deta.hukoomat main asliyat Nazar aati in sab ki.” [Maryam Nawaz criticised ARY during her jalsa and Marriyum Aurangzeb later shut down the channel. When they’re in Opposition, they want democracy but when in power, their reality is exposed.]
Ary removed from cables across pakistan.Maryam nawaz ne jalsa main ary pe tanqeed shuru ker aur ab Marium ne channel band ker dia.opposition main jamhooriat ka dard hai ke sone nahin deta.hukoomat main asliyat Nazar aati in sab ki
The Current reached out to Kashif Abbasi, who asked the sitting government why they shut down ARY News.
Abbasi said, “A news channel covers both the Opposition and the government, which is what ARY is doing. Covering the Opposition is not an issue, and there is nothing new in this. But how can you shut down a news channel on the basis of the coverage it is providing? When they are in Opposition, they represent themselves as being the biggest democrats and supporters of press freedom. Where has their press freedom gone now? All I want to know from the sitting government is why have they shut down the channel.”
Nayatel, which is an internet service and streaming platform, has moved ARY from channel 7 to channel 66.
“All licensed operators of Pakistan have shifted the position of ARY News channel. It’s available at 66 positions on Nayatel’s Basic Cable TV,” tweeted Nayatel.
All licensed operators of Pakistan have shifted position of ARY News channel. It’s available at 66 position on Nayatel’s Basic Cable TV.
Following the shutdown of ARY News, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that ARY News has been taken off the air in various areas, adding that the fascist government thinks censorship will succeed in the 21st century.
مختلف علاقوں میں #ARY کو آف ائیر کر دیا گیا ہے ، اس فاشسٹ حکومت کو لگتا ہے اکیسویں صدی میں سنسر شپ ان کو کامیاب کرے گا۔۔۔ بیوقوف لوگ #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور#حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ
کیبل آپریٹرز کو فون کرکے اے آر وائی کی نشریات بند کروائی جارہی ہیں اور نمبر بھی تبدیل کئے جا رہے ہیں- نیا ٹل کو بھی فون موصول اور اے آر وائی کا نمبر تبدیل کردیا گیا- وزارت اطلاعات کے ذرائع کا کہنا ہے یہ کام وہ کروا رہا ہے- پھر پوچھے ہیں لوگ ہمیں کیوں گالیاں نکالتے ہیں؟ pic.twitter.com/K3vm78GdrT
