Author: newsdesk

  • After 14 days, Sherani chilghoza forest fire finally under control

    After 14 days, Sherani chilghoza forest fire finally under control

    After 14 days of firefighting the fire in Balochistan’s Sherani district, the blaze is now under control. Due to the expansion of fire on a very large amount of land, forests of pine nuts and olives have been destroyed.

    Fire was controlled with the efforts of all relevant departments. Firefighters from the provincial and national disaster management authorities for days tried to quench the flames, using rescue vehicles and firefighting equipments.

    Iran also helped Pakistan in controlling the fire and sent a firefighting jet. Tehran sent its air tanker Ilyushin Il-76 to help put out fires.

    The fire resulted in the deaths of at least three people. Also, many rare animals have also been killed by the fire.

    The forest is one of the world’s largest pine nut woods. Pakistan produces 6,40,000 kg of pine nuts each year, accounting for 15% of global production. More than half of this production comes from Sherani’s forest.

  • SBP shortens car loan tenure to deflate import bill

    SBP shortens car loan tenure to deflate import bill

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) decreased the consumer lending duration for vehicles on May 24, bringing it to a maximum of three years for cars with engine displacements greater than 1,000cc and five years for those with engine displacements less than 1,000cc.

    “The maximum tenure of auto finance facility is reduced from five (5) years to three (3) years for vehicles above 1,000 cc engine displacement and from seven (7) years to five (5) years for vehicles up to 1,000 cc engine displacement,” read the circular.

    The SBP decided to change the Prudential Regulations for Consumer Financing (PRCF) in its circular Letter No. 19 of 2022:

    Other amendments issued previously, via BPRD Circular Letter No. 29 dated September 23, 2021, will now be applicable on financing for all locally assembled/manufactured vehicles, including financing for vehicles with up to 1,000 cc engine capacity and locally assembled/manufactured electric vehicles, according to the central bank.

    “However, the regulatory treatment of Roshan Apni Car product communicated earlier to RDA participant banks will continue to remain effective,” read the circular.

    “The maximum tenure of auto finance facility is reduced from five (5) years to three (3) years for vehicles above 1,000 cc engine displacement and from seven (7) years to five (5) years for vehicles up to 1,000 cc engine displacement,” read the letter.

    Other amendments issued previously, via BPRD Circular Letter No. 29 dated September 23, 2021, will now be applicable on financing for all locally assembled/manufactured vehicles, including financing for vehicles with up to 1,000 cc engine capacity and locally assembled/manufactured electric vehicles, according to the central bank.

    “However, the regulatory treatment of Roshan Apni Car product communicated earlier to RDA participant banks will continue to remain effective,” read the circular.

  • Govt says will not allow PTI’s long march, calls it ‘fitna’; Khan vows to continue

    Govt says will not allow PTI’s long march, calls it ‘fitna’; Khan vows to continue

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah announced on Tuesday that the federal government will not allow any riots in the name of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march, which is due to take place tomorrow (May 25).

    He said the government will not allow the PTI to spread “chaos and disorder”.

    “They will be stopped so they cannot propagate their misleading agenda,” he said while adding that PTI’s long march is not democratic.

    Sanaullah said everyone has the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest. However, he said that PTI doesn’t want a peaceful protest.

    ‘PTI has moved from abuses to bullets’: Interior Minister says no to PTI march

    “Had they not spread anarchy, we would not have stopped them. These people [PTI] have moved from abuses to bullets. A police constable was killed in Lahore.” Rana Sana vowed to protect the lives and properties of the capital’s people “at all costs”.

    The announcement has come after a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) political committee meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif where it was reportedly decided to stop Imran Khan-led Azadi March in the federal capital.

    “Such tactics are equal to ruining the economy,” PM Shehbaz was reported as saying in reference to the long march while addressing the meeting.

    ‘We will lead the biggest procession in history on May 25’: Imran Khan

    Meanwhile, despite the government’s decision, addressing a press conference in Peshawar, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that he will lead the biggest procession in Pakistan’s history on May 25.

    He went on to say that the PTI has a right to stage a protest against the “imported conspiracy”.

    “Did we protest when Bilawal staged a long march? Did we arrest him? Fazlur Rehman also staged a march, we said we would help them,” said Khan.

    Khan lashed out at the government for conducting raids in Lahore, and for barging into homes of “innocent citizens”.

    Long March: Khan asks judges and ‘neutrals’ to do the right thing

    Addressing “those who call themselves neutral”, he said that they had taken an oath to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty. “You need to understand that the public is looking at you, and you will also be judged. You will be equally responsible if the country goes towards destruction.”

    PTI’s long march: Islamabad likely to be fully closed on May 25

    According to Geo News, after the decision to stop the long march, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah summoned the Pakistan Army for the security of the Red Zone in Islamabad.

    Section 144 has also been imposed in the federal capital for two months. According to a notification, the restrictions have been extended up to one kilometre of the Red Zone.

    Raids at PTI leaders’ house in Lahore

    On Monday night and early morning on Tuesday, Punjab Police raided the houses of several PTI leaders, including former Energy Minister Hammad Azhar, Usman Dar, and Babar Awan.

    In a video, the mother of PTI leader Walid Iqbal and daughter-in-law of Allama Iqbal Justice (retd) Nasira Iqbal shared the harassment her staffers had to through at the hands of the police.

    During a raid of a PTI leader’s house in Lahore’s Model Town, police constable Kamal Ahmad was shot in the chest and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.

    A first information report (FIR) was filed, stating that a police party, during a search operation in Model Town, rang the doorbell of Major (retd) Sajid Hussain’s house at 1:40am.

    “Hussain asked his son Bukhari to fire straight at the police party. Bukhari, with the intention of killing, fired straight at the police party. A bullet struck the chest of Constable Kamal Ahmad, who was standing outside the house”, the FIR reads.

    Both Hussain and his son Bukhari were arrested later.

    The current Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz on Tuesday attended the janaza (funeral) of Ahmad and blamed PTI for the constable’s death.

    ‘Azadi March is not against the government but the establishment’: Maryam Nawaz

    Later in the evening, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said his “Azadi March” is not against the government, “but the establishment”.

    She said the PTI chairman also launched “a malicious campaign targetting the judiciary, in which abusive words were used against the judges” 

    Speaking further about the long march, Maryam said the government was worried about PTI’s “nefarious designs”, and it has intel about the party amassing weapons for use against law enforcement agencies (LEAs).

    The PML-N vice president pointed out that the PTI chairman should call his children to Pakistan for leading the “Azadi March”, instead of instigating Pakistan’s youth to lay their lives for him.

    “Since they are Imran Khan’s sons, they will live abroad, and no one will touch them. They will remain in a safe and sound environment, while the sons of the soil — who spent their entire lives serving the country — will take bullets to their chests just because a person’s desire for power does not end?”

  • Pakistan is finalising policy guidelines to launch 5G

    Pakistan is finalising policy guidelines to launch 5G

    The government intends to introduce 5G across the country, despite the fact that widespread 4G coverage is viewed as a major requirement before its launch. Also, 5G services can be offered in locations where 4G services are already available.

    Although all telcos in Pakistan have switched to 4G or LTE networks, a few companies are still unable to provide stable connectivity in a number of locations. Also, network providers frequently fail to deliver an acceptable, 4G standard connection speed despite hefty mobile data charges.

    To meet license requirements for the 5G network, cellular operators are forced to extend 4G coverage.

    According to Brecorder, the government of Pakistan is intending to introduce 5G in the country, according to official documents, and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MOIT&T) is in the phase of finalising policies for 5G in consultation with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and relevant authorities.

    The former administration intended to offer 5G services in the country in the first quarter of 2023. Unfortunately, no consulting assistance has been utilised for this purpose thus far. The reports also revealed that the PTA spent no expenses as no consultancy services had been obtained for its deployment.

    The MOIT&T has analysed seven bands for the implementation of 5G services. As per official documents, the government is currently reviewing the possibilities available for the prompt deployment of 5G services in the ccountry.

    The following bands are being considered for 5G service adoption as low, mid and high bands:

    700 MHz; 2.3 GHz; 2.6 GHz; 3.5 GHz; MiIIimeter wavebands; C-Band (3.6-4.2) GHz; and Unlicensed Backhaul Frequency bands (P2P & P2MP).

    In light of these bands, the ministry has requested that the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) share the present status and availability of all 5G spectrum in the above-mentioned frequency bands.

    Network providers are actively extending their infrastructures. Pakistan presently has 90 per cent teledensity and 89 per cent mobile penetration. The total number of cellphone consumers is 193.4 million. These figures are steadily rising. According to license terms, all CMOs are working to expand 4G coverage nationally.

    Approximately 60 per cent of the populace has access to 4G coverage. New rollout criteria have been imposed on operator licenses in order to accelerate 4G implementation in Pakistan.

    Furthermore, population-based rollout obligations are being implemented in order to give 4G coverage to the greatest number of Pakistanis.

  • Monkeypox outbreak primarily spreading through sex: WHO officials

    Monkeypox outbreak primarily spreading through sex: WHO officials

    Monkeypox, a potentially fatal disease that has seen an alarming surge in cases in North America and Europe over the last three weeks,  can be spread through close contact. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most recent surge in cases appears to have been spread among men who have sex with other men, emphasising that anyone can contract monkeypox.

    “While the virus itself is not a sexually transmitted infection, which are generally spread through semen and vaginal fluids, the most recent surge in cases appears to have been spread among men who have sex with other men,” said WHO officials.

    “Many diseases can be spread through sexual contact. You could get a cough or a cold through sexual contact, but it doesn’t mean that it’s a sexually transmitted disease,” said Andy Seale, a strategic advisor with WHO’s HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections programme.

    Read more- Monkeypox outbreak primarily spreading through sex: WHO officials

    According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox is a disease caused by a virus that is related to smallpox but is less severe. According to findings in Africa, monkeypox can kill up to 1 in 10 people who develop the disease.

  • Fact Check: Monkeypox DID NOT reach Lahore

    Fact Check: Monkeypox DID NOT reach Lahore

    Claim: Two patients with monkeypox have been admitted into Jinnah Hospital

    Fact: Medical Superintendent Jinnah Hosptial confirms that no patients with monkeypox have been admitted

    On May 23, 2022, Dr Farooq Nawaz Sahil, a resident pulmonologist at Services Hospital Lahore tweeted that 2 patients with monkeypox have been admitted to Jinnah Hospital, Lahore and are being treated in the hospital’s isolation ward. ProPakistani, a digital media platform, shared the tweet on its website which became an extremely concerning public health update, reporting the first 2 cases of monkeypox in Pakistan.

    Although shortly after his tweet, Dr Sahil deleted it, the news spread like wildfire, primarily because the residual fear of a global pandemic has not completely worn off.

    The ProPakistani post coincided with the national Institute of Health (NIH) and World Health Organization’s (WHO) warnings to expect a global rise in the number monkeypox cases reported. This made it more likely to be believed and spread a panic within social media users who started sharing it repeatedly. Some of these posts can be found on Facebook and Twitter here, here, here here, here, here, here and here.

    Team Current established correspondence with Jinnah Hospital, Lahore and confirmed with the Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir that no such cases have been reported and in fact this false information has disrupted the hospital’s environment by creating unnecessary panic in citizens in Lahore. National Institute of Health Pakistan also tweeted earlier today, clarifying that no cases of monkeypox have been reported so far.

    Verdict: FALSE

    What is Monkeypox?

    Monkeypox is a virus and a usually self-limited disease with symptoms lasting from two to four weeks. It is transmittable through close contact (lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, bedding) with an infected person or animal. It is a viral zoonotic disease and its clinical representation is similar to smallpox. According to the WHO report, past outbreaks were not extremely widespread and increasingly got better managed with modern medicine.

    In May 2022, multiple cases of monkeypox were identified in several countries where occurence of monkeypox is not a regular phenomenon and so WHO and NIH issued warnings against the disease and suggested strongarming medical screening at border entrances.

  • Donald Lu should be sacked over his ‘sheer arrogance and bad manners’: Khan

    Donald Lu should be sacked over his ‘sheer arrogance and bad manners’: Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Monday called for the sacking of United States (US) Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asia Donald Lu for “sheer arrogance and bad manners”.

    In an interview with CNN, Khan said the US diplomat told Pakistan’s ambassador that unless “you get Imran Khan removed in a vote of no-confidence — which was not tabled but he seemed to know about it — Pakistan will suffer consequences”.

    “And then goes on to say, of course, if you get rid of him through the vote of no-confidence, all will be forgiven — such arrogance […] by the way Becky, this guy should be sacked for bad manners and sheer arrogance,” Khan told CNN’s Becky Anderson.

    Anchorperson Becky Anderson asked Khan if he had gotten in touch with the US president or state secretary regarding the matter. Khan did not answer, instead of saying that the National Security Council (NSC) meeting had decided to issue a demarche and a protest was registered to the US in Pakistan and Washington.

    Anderson said the US had “rubbished” the notion that it was involved in a regime change in Pakistan and asked Khan if he genuinely believed his claim of there being a foreign conspiracy to topple his government.

    “What were they meeting [US officials] for? They were the first ones to jump ship and they were the ones who then offered million dollars each to buy my other MNAs who jumped ship later on. Why would the US embassy be interested in our party backbenchers?” said Khan.

    Anderson questioned Khan’s visit to Russia, adding that “the optics didn’t and don’t look good, do they?” To which Khan responded, “They didn’t but let me explain to you. This visit was planned a long time back and all stakeholders in Pakistan were onboard. The military wanted Russian hardware, we wanted oil, there was a gas pipeline which was being negotiated for the past six years before my government came in … how would I have known that the day I land in Moscow, President [Vladimir] Putin would decide to go into Ukraine?”

  • A Chinese company will invest $50 million to enhance Pakistan’s agricultural sector

    A Chinese company will invest $50 million to enhance Pakistan’s agricultural sector

    Optima Integration Group of China and Asia Pak Investments of Pakistan agreed on May 23 to invest $50 million in the first stage to enhance agriculture, power, and logistics sector in Gwadar and Karachi.

    The Board of Investment (BoI) facilitated the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this respect between the two businesses, which may result in the creation of more than 100 job vacancies in Gwadar and Karachi, as well as the establishment of a high-tech processing facility and technology transition.

    The event was attended by Federal Minister Board of Investment Chaudhry Salik Hussain, who signed the MoU with Optima Integration Group Chairman Sam Siu and Chief Executive Officer of Sino Pak Optima Technologies (SPOT) in the spirit of strengthening business-to-business (B2B) agricultural collaboration among the two nations. Ms Fareena Mazhar, Secretary of the BoI, was also present at the occasion.

    Under the terms of the agreement, the two parties would establish an end-to-end supplier base for seafood [79 breeds of fish have been certified for exporting from Pakistan to China by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC)].

    In the long term, the initiative would grow from fish to beef and goat, beginning with cold chain transporting beef and then expanding with Chinese standard breeding, feedlot operations, immunizations, track and trace technologies, and slaughter and pack facilities in Karachi.

    Read more: SBP hikes interest rate by 150 basis points to control inflation

    Addressing the gathering, Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain praised the Chinese government’s involvement in Pakistan’s agriculture and livestock sectors, notably the fish and seafood business.

    He briefed the attendees regarding the formation of the Pakistan-China Business and Investment Forum (PCBIF), which was the outcome of a collaboration between the BoI, the Chinese Embassy, and the All-Pakistan Chinese Enterprises’ Association (APCEA). He informed Chinese investors that the BoI would take deliberate steps to assist interested investors.

  • Sarwat Gilani, Sania Saeed impress in traditional dresses at the Cannes Film Festival 2022

    Sarwat Gilani, Sania Saeed impress in traditional dresses at the Cannes Film Festival 2022

    Pakistani actresses Sarwat Gilani and Sania Saeed walked at the red carpet at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in traditional attires, making local netizens proud.

    While the Churails star impressed in an exquisite glittery ensemble with high heels and minimal accessories including earrings and statement rings..

    The 39-year-old starlet looked ethereal in her mint green long gowns by Elon. 

    Sarwat Gilani slays spectators in a glittery mint green gown at Cannes red carpet

    Senior actress Sania Saeed opted for a vibrant dark blue and pink floral outfit, complete with silver embellishments. 

    Pakistan represent: Cast of Pakistani film ‘Joyland’ pose at Cannes 2022

    The cast of the Pakistani film Joyland is proudly representing Pakistan at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival along with the director Saim Sadiq.

    The category for feature films at Cannes only takes in a limited number of 14 films and it is a moment of immense pleasure that a Pakistani film made the list.

    Photo: AFP and Sarmad Khoosat/Instagram

    Alina Khan, a transgender actress, also stars in the film.

    Sadiq arrived at the festival in a salmon pink suit paired with a white t-shirt, with Sarwat donning a white, puffy-sleeved dress and strappy black heels for the event. Actor Alina Khan, who starred in Darling, opted for a pink crop top with butterfly detailing, pairing it with a yellow skirt and hair tied into a high ponytail for a daytime-appropriate look. 

    It stars Sarwat Gilani, Salman Peerzada, Sania Saeed, Ali Junejo, Alina Khan and Rasti Farooq. The film is produced by Sarmad Khoosat, Apoorva Guru Charan, and Lauren Mann.

  • PIA Hajj operations to start May 31

    PIA Hajj operations to start May 31

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will begin Hajj operations, with 297 flights to Jeddah and Madinah departing from eight cities from May 31.

    A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique, he was briefed by the national flag-carrier’s administration on important matters.

    According to the federal minister, the state airline will start Hajj operations on May 31 as planned, with flights to Jeddah and Madinah departing from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, Peshawar, and Quetta.

    The national flag-carrier’s administration said that 297 flights will operate from May 31 to August 31.

    The leadership of the state airline announced the addition of four Airbus 320 aircraft to its fleet. One plane arrived in Pakistan last week and is currently being processed by Pakistan Customs and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), while a second plane is expected to arrive by the end of the month.