Author: newsdesk

  • Buzdar changed 3,000 officers in his tenure as CM

    Buzdar changed 3,000 officers in his tenure as CM

    During a three-and-a-half-year tenure, former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar transferred over 3,000 officers in violation of both the tenure policy and the Supreme Court’s (SC) judgment in the Anita Turab case, reports The News.

    In Anita Turab’s case, the apex court barred the government from transferring officers before the completion of their tenure.

    In the Anita Turab case, the SC had laid down the several principles to save the government servants from politicisation. Appointments, removals and promotions must be made in accordance with the law and the rules. Secondly, when the ordinary tenure for a posting has been specified in the law or rules made thereunder, such tenure must be respected.

    According to the news outlet, there have been no suo moto notices and no punishments for the violators.

    Moreover, it has been reported that the Buzdar government transferred around 1,100 secretaries, Director Generals (DG), commissioners, Deputy Commissioners (DC) and additional deputy commissioners in Punjab.

    In the Police Department, there were more than 1,900 senior police officials, including Deputy Inspector General (DIGs), regional police officers, city police officers, district police officers and Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs), who were transferred.

    The record reveals that Lahore, Gujranwala, Pakpattan and Dera Ghazi Khan were the major districts that were the focus of these changes where maximum numbers of transfers and postings occurred.

    It is pertinent to mention that during Buzdar’s tenure Punjab saw five chief secretaries and seven inspectors generals of police which has never happened before.

    In 36 districts of Punjab, the Buzdar government transferred 198 deputy commissioners in three and a half years. On average, 5.5 DCs were changed in every district during the PTI-led government.

    Dera Ghazi Khan and Gujranwala are the two districts where the maximum number of DCs were changed.

    In DG Khan and Pakpattan, some DCs were transferred within three months. Waqas Rashid was transferred within three months as DC Dera Ghazi Khan and Nauman Yousaf was transferred in three months as DC Pakpattan.

  • SBP hikes interest rate by 150 basis points to control inflation

    SBP hikes interest rate by 150 basis points to control inflation

    The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) approved a 150 basis point increase in the benchmark interest rate, pushing it to 13.75 per cent to control inflation.

    It is worth noting that this is the maximum level of interest rate since 2011 when it was 14 per cent.

    The central bank mentioned in a statement that after the last MPC meeting, preliminary estimates indicate that growth in FY22 has been considerably higher than predicted.

    On May 23, the MPC agreed to hike the policy rate by 150 basis points to 13.75 per cent. “This action, together with much needed fiscal consolidation, should help moderate demand to a more sustainable pace while keeping inflation expectations anchored and containing risks to external stability.

    “External pressures remain elevated and the inflation outlook has deteriorated due to both home-grown and international factors. Domestically, an expansionary fiscal stance this year, exacerbated by the recent energy subsidy package, has fueled demand and lingering policy uncertainty has compounded pressures on the exchange rate”.

    “Globally, inflation has intensified due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and renewed supply disruptions caused by the new Covid wave in China. As a result, almost all central banks across the world are suddenly confronting multi-year high inflation and a challenging outlook.”

    The MPC stated that raising interest rates will help to protect external and economic stability.

    “Since the last MPC meeting, secondary market yields, benchmark rates and cut-off rates in the government’s auctions have risen, particularly at the short end. The MPC noted that the market rates should be aligned with the policy rate and in case of any misalignment after today’s policy decision, the SBP would take appropriate action”.

    According to the report, overall inflation climbed from 12.7 per cent (year on year) in March to 13.4 per cent in April, led by consumable food products and core inflation. “The rise in core inflation reflects strong domestic demand and second-round effects of supply shocks,” it noted.

    The MPC believes that when power and fuel subsidies are phased out, inflation will spike momentarily and remain strong through FY23 before falling steeply in FY24. “This baseline outlook is subject to risks from the path of global commodity prices and the domestic fiscal policy stance,” it said.

  • The recent ban on imports might barely make a dent

    The recent ban on imports might barely make a dent

    On Thursday, May 19th, 2022, the federal cabinet issued a list of 41 items which will be banned from being imported for two months. This is in an attempt to address the current account deficit. The list of products is banned from being imported into the country, which means that essentially any shops or restaurants which rely on using these products will be forced to find local alternatives.

    These products will be banned regardless of what branding or packaging they use and only on the basis of whether the specific product is imported or not. Even products which are imported from abroad but packaged locally, will now be banned.

    Officially released list of imported non-essential luxury items

    Economists, university professors and business journalists took to Twitter to analyze and assess the merits and demerits of this decision. The discussion around luxury products and the fact that a lot of products which are labelled as “luxury items” are actually essential. Sanitary imports, valued at $16.4m are wrongly categorized as non-essential and although local alternatives also exist but it is definitions like these which disallow such decisions to be founded in research and expertise.

    The valuation of these imports which was published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, was being quoted to ridicule the decision by many. What’s interesting to note is that most brands which appear to be entirely local, import a major chunk of their supply and will now be forced to smuggle goods instead.

    Only from the data shared by PBS it becomes clear that for the fiscal year 2022, June to March, the total value of petroleum imports was $11 billion, while the total value of banning all these non-essential “luxury” items is a total $984 million, which forms only about 8.9% of the total value of petroleum imports.

    In conversation with Profit Magazine’s Ariba Shahid, she clarified that this would still prove to be a largely fruitless move since the most significant chunk of the import bill is still being used up to run the energy sector without any thought being given to the humongous fuel subsidies . “For a very long time the State Bank of Pakistan has been talking about how if we remove the oil component from it, the current account deficit is improving, which is true and basically means that people are not spending money to buy other items and most of the import bill is petrol and soy bean oil.”

    Economists Ammar Khan and Atif R Mian also took to Twitter to analyze this decision of “patchwork economics”. Commenting on this unsustainable gap in Pakistan’s balance of payment, on April 15th, 2022 during a discussion on Pakistan’s economy at Princeton University, he explains that for Pakistan to grow it is a necessary condition for Pakistan to deal with this problem and digs deeper into the structure of the economy. He particularly takes apart urban land reforms, the necessity to levy a capital gains tax on speculative real estate transactions and analyzes how Pakistan is not even economically stable enough to grow at the rate of India and Bangladesh and it is primarily due to the elite capture of the economy that disallows the economy to attempt to fix its loopholes.

    Echoing similar sentiments, Ariba Shahid explained that due to a weaker economy, the import bill is not as significantly high due to a reduced demand pull because of a lowered purchasign power and hence banning these products will be insignificant and might barely make a dent in the current account deficit. “The need of the hour is to reverse the fuel subsidy,” says Shahid, “This decision will swell up the grey market economy and smuggling will increase.”

  • WhatsApp is cutting support for two iPhones

    WhatsApp is cutting support for two iPhones

    The meta-owned messaging platform, WhatsApp announced that it will stop functioning on some outdated iPhones in its new update. The company announced that it would stop supporting iOS 10 and iOS 11 devices later this year.

    WhatsApp has begun notifying iPhone users running iOS 10 or iOS 11 that they must update their devices in order to continue using WhatsApp beyond October 24. The iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c are the only two devices in the series which will no longer support WhatsApp after October 24.

    “After October 24, 2022, WhatsApp will no longer support this version of iOS”. To get the newest iOS version, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update,” the notification says.

    WhatsApp will continue to work for iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 users for the time being, and they will be alerted if their iPhones cease running the Meta-owned instant messaging app.

    The app already states on its Help Center page that iPhone users must be running iOS 12 or above to continue using the application. WhatsApp requires Android 4.1 or newer for Android users.

    The tech giant, Apple is anticipated to unveil iOS 16 at WWDC 2022 next month, and it will be released later this year, possibly around the time the iPhone 14 series is released.

  • Bus drivers’ race? Two buses collide, killing eight people in Murree

    Bus drivers’ race? Two buses collide, killing eight people in Murree

    On Monday, a coaster crashed into a ditch at Khaira Gali on Galyat Road in Murree, killing at least eight people and injuring several others according to media reports.

    According to an eyewitness, both bus drivers were racing and the two buses crashed due to their high speeds. As soon as the tragedy was reported, a huge number of residents raced to the scene and began self-rescue efforts, while rescue and police units arrived shortly after.

    He further stated that 12 persons have been transferred to the Tehsil Headquarter Hospital in Murree, while eight bodies have been exhumed, and the death toll is expected to grow.

    Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz has expressed sadness for the loss of life in the Murree traffic tragedy and has ordered a report.

  • Imran Khan makes party decisions based on Bushra Bibi’s dreams: Awn Chaudhry

    Imran Khan makes party decisions based on Bushra Bibi’s dreams: Awn Chaudhry

    Former adviser and very close friend to ousted Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Awn Chaudhry revealed the reason for not attending the oath ceremony of the former premier, saying that he was stopped from attending Khan’s oath-taking after ‘somebody dreamt about it’ at Bani Gala.

    “When I was informed about it by Imran Khan himself through a message before the night of the oath-taking, that someone has seen a dream and I cannot attend the oath-taking ceremony, I was hurt badly and thought was this the reward for my hard work? He sent the message at 2am and I have saved it on my phone. It is strange that decisions were made in the party on the basis of dreams,” Awn said.

    Aun opened up about the issue while talking to Geo News programme ‘Jirga’s’ host Saleem Safi. Chaudhry said that he had Khan’s message saved and can show it anytime he asks for it.

    Safi asked if the person whom Awn is mentioning in relevance to dreams was the first lady, Bushra Bibi. To this Awn said, “Everyone knows who is associated with such dreams and the implementation of work done because of these dreams.”

    Anchorperson Safi reminded Chaudhry that Chaudhry was the one who made Khan meet Bushra Bibi and that Khan got married six months before becoming prime minister. So the question is why was not Awn Chaudhry distanced from Khan earlier? To which Chaudhry responded, “I cannot say what the plan was but now it’s pretty clear. Had I committed something wrong, I am sure Khan Saab would have said it to everyone within three seconds. My wrong was my loyalty to Khan Saab. Had my loyalties been somewhere else I would still be there.”

    “I am grateful to the Almighty that he showed me the mirror. These people are not the ones to show loyalty to. I was the hindrance between a lot of things. A gang has come in front of Pakistan. The ones who called the shots and did the work in the country. This is the very gang that used to run Punjab. The gang includes the first lady’s friend Farah, Farah Gogi, Ahsan Jameel Gujjar, and then there was another gift which they presented in the face of Usman Buzdar. This was a planned conspiracy,” said Chaudhry.

    “I came to Khan Saab and said that you have committed a blunder. I complained that you have given Punjab to such an incompetent man [Usman Buzdar]. The reward i got saying this was, I was taken out of the Punjab cabinet within a week,” revealed Chaudhry.

    He said FIRs were lodged against Jahangir Tareen and his children while Tareen helped Imran Khan form governments in the Centre and Punjab. “Tareen allowed Imran Khan to use his plane and bore expenses of party meetings and offices, including Imran Khan’s sit-in at Islamabad. Imran Khan also leveled false allegations against Aleem Khan over his housing society. If he was so notorious, why had you accepted him to your party?” he asked.

    Chaudhry said Shehzad Akbar had set up private cells to investigate Tareen after a commission was set up to investigate the sugar crisis. “Tareen also supported Principal Secretary to PM Azam Khan but he asked Imran Khan to form a commission against Tareen,” he added.

    Awn Chaudhry alleged that Prime Imran Khan had phoned for closing NAB cases against many people close to him. “The truth will come forth if an inquiry is held,” he added.

    Chaudhry said that the PTI chairman had not appointed Pervez Khattak as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister for the second time because he thought he did not obey him as he desired. He said Mehmood Khan had been appointed KP CM because he was a weak person. “Khattak has a political vision and he would have benefited the party better but he was criticised in party meetings,” he added.

  • PPP’s Gilani becomes leader of house in Senate

    PPP’s Gilani becomes leader of house in Senate

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senior leader and former Prime Minister (PM) Yusuf Raza Gilani has taken charge as the leader of the House in the Senate today (Monday).

    Earlier, Gilani contested for the slot of Senate chairman against Sadiq Sanjrani but lost. Gilani has been appointed to fill the slot by the current PM Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Senator Dr Shehzad Waseem will now become the leader of the Opposition.

    The National Assembly (NA) session has resumed today and it has been indicated that a resolution of condemnation against PTI Chairman Imran Khan for using obnoxious language against Maryam Nawaz in his Multan rally would be tabled in the two houses separately by women lawmakers.

    According to The News that PM Shehbaz Sharif will avail the sitting of the upper house to make an important policy statement on the political and economic situation in the country.

    In January, Gilani stepped down as the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate after his absence led to the passage of the State Bank (Amendment) Bill, 2021, in the Upper House of Parliament.

  • Tourists stranded at Babusar Top after heavy snowfall

    Tourists stranded at Babusar Top after heavy snowfall

    Heavy snowfall in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Babusar Top area has trapped many tourists including their vehicles.

    According to the government, up to 3 inches of snow have fallen on the Babusar Top and emergency teams have been sent to the area to evacuate tourists who have got stuck in their vehicles. Passengers and visitors are advised to avoid using the highway until further notice.

    Heavy snowfall is continuing at Babusar Top, according to the Gilgit-Baltistan chief secretary, and the Babusar-Naran National Highway has been momentarily closed for all kinds of traffic.

    More than 50 vehicles, carrying lots of passengers and visitors, were evacuated at Babusar Top due to snowfall and harsh weather, as per rescue personnel. The rescued tourists were taken to Babusar Centre.

    Periodic snowfall is continuing at Babusar Top, according to rescue officials, while the mercury has fallen below freezing.

  • Coalition partners finally decide to complete govt term

    Coalition partners finally decide to complete govt term

    The coalition partners have decided that the present government will go ahead with the completion of its term instead of early elections in the country, reports Geo News.

    The decision comes after a meeting of the heads of the ruling alliance today (Monday). The allied parties’ heads met to discuss the political situation in the country after the announcement of a long march towards Islamabad by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on May 25.

    As per the news outlet, the government has also decided to take tough decisions in a bid to steer the country out of an economic crisis. As Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has left for Doha, Qatar, for talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the tough measures will reportedly be taken in a couple of days.

    The Shehbaz Sharif government has stated that it needs support from “all sides” to take tough decisions in order to revive the economy.

  • Good News for Pakistani filmmakers: SHC orders 85% preference for local films

    Good News for Pakistani filmmakers: SHC orders 85% preference for local films

    After the mess that local films like Chakkar, Dum Mastam and Pardey Mein Rehne Do faced with regards to their screening times being allotted to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, there has been a major development in the situation.

    The Sindh High Court has ordered that local films get 85% of playing time at Pakistani cinemas, with foreign cinemas being allowed 15% of the exhibition space.

    According to the high court order, foreign releases must comply by rules of the Motion Picture Ordinance, 1979, which states that internationally produced films screening in Pakistan can be allowed 15% screen space of locally created films are screening as well.

    The order states that the defendants must follow the rules of the Motion Picture Ordinance “strictly in letter and spirit” and to provide 85% exhibition time to Pakistani films till the next date of hearing on June 2.

    The Sindh High Court suits numbering 754, 754 and 755 have Cereal Entertainment (Adnan Siddiqui and Akhter Hasnain), Wajahat Rauf and Shazia Wajahat, and Farid Nawaz Productions (Yasir Nawaz and Nida Yasir) as plaintiffs, for their films Dum Mastam, Parde Mein Rehne Do and Chakkar respectively.

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Central Board of Film Censors, Punjab Film Censor Board, Sindh Board of Film Censors, Competition Commission of Pakistan, J.B. Films, Nueplex Cinemas, Cinepax Cinemas, Cinegold Cinemas, HKC Entertainment and the Karachi District South deputy commissioner.

    Local filmmakers called for compensation in the face of damages the films and makers faced with the distribution of screen time, of which the relevant teams have been vocal about on social media.

    While chaos has already ensued for local films in the wake of the release of Doctor Strange, this ruling may prove beneficial (if gone unchallenged) for upcoming local releases such as Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad and London Nahi Jaunga. Moreover, while the Marvel film has amassed big figures at the box office, upcoming foreign releases such as The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Memory, and Top Gun: Maverick stand to potentially be impacted by this decision.

    Earier this year the Zindagi Gulzar Hai star, Sanam Saeed expressed her disappointment over the absence of posters and standees of her newly released film, Ishrat Made in China, in one of the outlets of Nueplex Cinemas at Minhas Road, Karachi. There were no posters displayed of the film in the cinema.

    She took to her Twitter handle to express her concern and tagged JB Films who is the owner of Nueplex cinemas.

    She wrote, “A little disappointed in #nuplexcinemas for not putting up any of our film posters, especially on Rashid Minhas Road.”

    She also urged the cinema owners to support Pakistani content as Hollywood does not need promotion for superheroes films.

    Meanwhile, Nueplex cinemas also released their official statement and clarified their stance.

    According to the cinema management, the distributor/producer is solely responsible for providing promotional material such as standees and posters. It added, “Hence, this issue may be better addressed if it is taken up with them.”

    They also explained that the film was given only two dedicated screens throughout the opening weekend at Askari IV and DHA. They urged to bring this matter to the distributor first to resolve the issue.

    Ishrat Made in China was released on March 4 along with Hollywood’s superhero film, The Batman starring Robert Pattison in Pakistan.