Category: Uncategorized

  • Pakistan may receive $2.5 billion loan from Asian Development Bank

    Pakistan may receive $2.5 billion loan from Asian Development Bank

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has hinted at providing $2.5 billion in additional loans to Pakistan. However, the government must obtain a good economic health certificate from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to receive the loan. Following a meeting between Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghous Pasha and ADB Country Director Yong Ye, a statement was released.

    “The ADB indicated the additional support of $2.5 billion for the next fiscal year, from which $1.5 billion to $2 billion can be available in the ongoing calendar year,” said the Ministry of Finance in a statement.

    The ADB has suggested that it could lend $1.5 billion under the Counter Cyclical Finance Facility and another $400 million via energy sector policy loans, according to sources in the finance ministry.

    On May 3, the ADB board of directors authorised the Counter Cyclical Finance Facility with Pakistan receiving a combination of concessional and commercial financing. However, the ADB board’s approval of the $1.5 billion loan will be conditional on Pakistan’s debt burden being manageable and the country’s fiscal policies not being reckless – two factors that will necessitate frantic efforts to meet.

  • Parents sue son for money they spent on raising him, having no grandchild

    Parents sue son for money they spent on raising him, having no grandchild

    In India, an elderly couple is suing their son and his wife for failing to provide them with a grandchild.

    Sanjeev and Sadhana Prasad claim to have spent all of their savings on their pilot son’s education and an extravagant wedding. They now seek retribution.

    “My son has been married for six years but they are still not planning a baby,” the parents said in their petition filed with a court in Haridwar last week. “At least if we have a grandchild to spend time with, our pain will become bearable.”

    Thy are seeking a compensation of more than Rs one crore, twenty five lakh from the couple if they are unable to have a child within the next year.

    The parents spent $65,000 (12532734.50 PKR) to get their son trained as a pilot in the US only for him to return to India unemployed. Mr Prasad claims that he is suing his son because he married in 2016 with the “hopes of having a grandchild.” He also claims that his daughter-in-law and her family have financial control over his son and have prohibited them from having a kid.

    “We also had to take a loan to build our house and now we are going through a lot of financial hardships,” the couple said in their petition. “Mentally too we are quite disturbed because we are living alone.”

    Mr Prasad and his wife are seeking compensation for financial and emotional losses, according to AK Srivastava, the lawyer representing them.

    “The couple has the freedom to not give birth to a child, which is why we are asking to be compensated. The amount is the money Mr Prasad has spent on his son’s upbringing,” said their lawyer.

  • PML-N leaders take oath twice, vow issues discussed with Nawaz to remain secret

    PML-N leaders take oath twice, vow issues discussed with Nawaz to remain secret

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders who are currently in London remained tight-lipped about their discussions with the party’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif.

    It is being said that the PML-N delegation took an oath “not just once but twice” to ensure that the issues that came under discussion before Mian Nawaz Sharif would not be revealed outside under any circumstances, reports Dawn.

    After the meeting, the delegation talked to the media outside Hasan Nawaz’s office. They did not share what policy direction was given by the Nawaz during the meeting at Stanhope House in London and stressed that any decision taken would only be announced after consultation with the government’s coalition partners.

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that electronic voting machines (EVMs) will not be used in the next general elections.

    When asked to comment on the DG ISPR’s presser on the army’s role in politics, Rana Sana said, “Our position on this is exactly the same that institutions should not be involved in politics or be dragged into politics. It is very inspiring that courts and other institutions have at this moment played a role that is not political.”

    When asked if former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan would be arrested, the interior minister said there would be no arbitrary arrest, but anyone found involved in illegal activities would be arrested and dealt with an iron hand after all legal requirements are met.

    Meanwhile, federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said the basic purpose of the visit was to take stock of the real existing situation of the country and seek guidance from Nawaz Sharif as he is the most senior statesman of Pakistan. He said the party wanted to consult him so that in the coming days the government could steer the country out of crises at a fast pace. “Pakistan’s economy is in really bad shape and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has left it in a complete mess.”

    “We will take our partners in confidence on everything that we discussed with Nawaz Sharif. The national leadership will play its role to bring the country out of crises”.

  • FIA terms withdrawal of cases against Shehbaz, Hamza ‘fake news’

    FIA terms withdrawal of cases against Shehbaz, Hamza ‘fake news’

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Thursday termed the news story related to the withdrawal of cases against Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz and others as “fake news”.

    In a statement, the FIA said that it had registered the case and it has not been withdrawn. The investigating agency further said that the proceedings are continuing in the court, with the next hearing scheduled for May 14.

    “Hence, it is fake news. FIA may legally proceed against the persons involved in spreading this fake news,” said the FIA spokesperson.

    The FIA said that on April 11, the prosecutor had submitted his opinion-based application in the court regarding a change of the prosecutor wherein he was instructed not to appear on behalf of the prosecution.

    It added that the prosecutor had alleged that the director-general of the FIA, via the investigation officer, had asked him not to appear before the court, adding that “it was not a withdrawal application anyway”.

    “On 11-04-2022, Mr Sanaullah Abbasi was the DG FIA. At the time of submission of the application, the new PM had not yet taken the oath. Tahir Rai was posted as DG FIA on 22-04-2022. This matter pertains to the timing before his arrival in FIA,” said the FIA.

    The agency said that the “change of prosecutor is a routine matter” and added that the government lawyer was also changed several times during the PTI government.

    “It is requested that fake news may not be spread in this matter,” said the FIA spokesperson.

    On the last hearing, the FIA’s special court issued an order that it will indict PM Shehbaz and CM Punjab Hamza.

  • ‘Comments on Faiz Hameed made by politicians very inappropriate’: ISPR

    ‘Comments on Faiz Hameed made by politicians very inappropriate’: ISPR

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said that the Peshawar Corps was an “illustrious formation” of the army and was spearheading the national war against terrorism for over two decades.

    “One of the most competent and professional officers is entrusted with the responsibility to lead this prestigious formation. Imprudent comments made by important senior politicians recently about [the] Peshawar Corps commander are very inappropriate,” the ISPR said.

    “It is expected that the senior political leadership of [the] country refrains from passing objectionable remarks against the institution, whose brave officers and men are constantly putting their lives on the line to guard the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan,” read the statement.

    ISPR Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar reiterated that “many statements” were made in the last few days by the country’s politicians and termed them “highly inappropriate”.

    “It must be clarified that there is no problem with fair criticism,” the military spokesperson said, lamenting that social media was being used to create propaganda instead of mere criticism.

    “We, as an institution, have nothing to do with the political situation of the country,” he said, adding that the institution was showing “tolerance and restraint and requesting that the army is not dragged into politics”.

    The appointment of the next army chief should not be made “controversial” by turning it into a topic of debate. He said the procedure for the appointment of the army chief had been outlined in the Constitution, adding that it would take place in accordance with the law.

    On Wednesday, Pakistan People’s Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari had been asked about Lt Gen Hameed at a press conference in Karachi and had replied with: “The helpless Faiz Hameed has been sidelined.”

    Maryam Nawaz on Thursday said that the army chief should be a person who had a “flawless reputation”, free from any criticism or doubts.

    Maryam made these remarks in a press conference outside the Islamabad High Court on Thursday while answering a question about Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s comments, wherein he had said that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed’s name could be considered for the new army chief.

    She said that the Pakistan Army is a respected institution and added that “the whole nation looks at the armed forces for the stability and security of the country”.

    The PML-N leader reiterated that the army chief should be a person who has a “flawless reputation” and who is good for the people, country, and the institution.

  • Maryam Nawaz says Imran Khan ran country through sorcery

    Maryam Nawaz says Imran Khan ran country through sorcery

    Addressing a public rally in Swabi, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, on Wednesday, accused former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan of using “sorcery” to run the country.

    Maryam said that the nation should be thankful to God for getting rid of a government which ran country through ‘sorcery’ and did nothing substantial for the country.

    Moreover, the PML-N leader urged the people of Swabi to vote for PML-N in the next elections so that “KP should also get rid of Imran Khan”.

    Criticising Khan, she said there is no truth to Khan’s ‘threat letter’ claims. She was of the view that the PTI chairman is “hiding his incompetence behind a fake threatening letter despite the fact that his own party’s MNAs went against him and MPAs [in Punjab] voted in favour of Hamza Shehbaz”.

    According to Maryam, the former PM left the economy in doldrums and maintained that it would at least take two years to bring the economy back on track.

    She also accused Khan of attacking state institutions for not siding with him.

  • ‘Handsome na hogay dobara’: Reham Khan takes a jibe at Imran Khan, shares viral video

    ‘Handsome na hogay dobara’: Reham Khan takes a jibe at Imran Khan, shares viral video

    Film producer-journalist Reham Khan took to her twitter handle to take a jibe at her ex-husband, Imran Khan. She re-shared his viral video in which the former PM can be seen fixing his hair.

    Actor-host Mishi Khan called out Reham for her remark by saying that she won’t get another chance (of being his wife).

    Earlier Mishi slammed the Janaan producer for her statements against showbiz celebs extending support to the former Prime Minister.

    The Nikaah star turned to Twitter to call out Reham for terming the showbiz celebs as ‘mummy daddy actors’, as the latter blamed the entertainment fraternity for not ‘raising their voice against Kashmir issue the way they are doing so against no-confidence vote’.

    In a video message shared by Khan on the micro-blogging site, she asked the journalist, “Why didn’t you take that step and supported Kashmir? Whom were you waiting for?”

    “You are always available to dictate us actors but when the Kashmir issue surfaced you were giving weather reports at BBC, teaching Salsa steps, and was busy with your luxurious foreign lifestyle,” she further remarked.

    “We are aware of the Kashmir issue and doing the needful for the cause, you shouldn’t preach us.”

    Furthermore, dubbing Reham as ‘speedy Gonzalves’, the ‘Janaan’ actor said in the video, “On behalf of the actors’ fraternity, we have all the right to support whoever we want to. You should continue with your job of recording irrelevant videos at National Assembly which is actually prohibited, and let us do ours.”

    Her message was followed by Reham’s reply who snubbed Mishi by asking netizens if she is the same friend of Imran Khan whom, Reham casted in Janaan in the role of Hania Aamir’s paternal aunt?

    “Oh isn’t she that friend of Imran I cast as the phuppo (aunt) in my film Janaan?”

    Reham’s tweet rubbed Mishi the wrong way and she replied to it in another video.

    Earlier the Ghazi Shaheed star took to her Instagram stories to slam Neelam Munir’s dance moves in her latest song Chirya from Yasir Nawaz’s Chakkar.

    Mishi Khan Calls Neelam Muneer's Dance Moves Pathetic | Reviewit.pk

    The Qaid-e-Tanhai star has turned into a dancing diva for her forthcoming film in which she plays a double role.

  • ‘Khan threatened to impose martial law a day before no-confidence motion’, reveals Bilawal Bhutto

    ‘Khan threatened to impose martial law a day before no-confidence motion’, reveals Bilawal Bhutto

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday revealed that the night before the no-confidence motion, a message was sent to him to agree on early elections, otherwise martial law would be imposed.

    “A day before no-confidence, I was threatened by the previous government to agree to hold immediate elections or martial law can be imposed,” said Bilawal in the National Assembly session, adding that the threat was sent through a former minister.

    “The situation in Pakistan is at a crisis point; there should be no two views about it. Every institution of ours had been made controversial due to a selected man. The harm that Imran Khan and his former government have caused to the constitution, democracy, and institutions is before everyone. The former PM abrogated the constitution and attacked democracy. Former PM, deputy speaker, and the President on the nights of April 3rd, April 9th, and 10th till today are abrogating the constitution and refusing to follow it. How can this National Assembly, the Parliament ignore such an attack? Our constitution has been torn like a piece of paper in the past as well,” said Bilawal.

    “I am saying that we should take the attack seriously, and make a commission to investigate who was involved in this unconstitutional and undemocratic attack. As far as April 3rd is concerned, the Supreme Court clearly termed it unconstitutional in its decision. The people of Pakistan expect accountability of the former government abrogating the constitution while trying to escape a democratic process,” said the FM.

    Bilawal further said, “Since this attack was ignored, the former PM thinks that he is a sacred cow and is roaming in the country while making attacks that are against the national interest and our national standing. This political instability is harming our economy. He thinks he is invincible since it was ignored that a government was formed through the worst-rigged elections.”

    “We are not the undemocratic forces that used to call for accountability and elections, we do not believe in political engineering,” said Bilawal. The FM said that they had already demanded reforms. “We are democratic forces and we want transparent elections. Our demand earlier too was that we will carry out electoral reforms first, this is the clear policy of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).”

    Giving a policy statement on Kashmir, the Foreign Minister said that India has been occupying Kashmir illegally since 1948. India changed the status of Illegally Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and India continues to violate the United Nations, Geneva Conventions.

    Bilawal said that efforts were being made to convert the majority into a minority in occupied Kashmir. “We reject the report of the Delimitation Commission in Occupied Kashmir. The Indian government wants to stifle the voice of Muslims in Occupied Kashmir with new demarcations,” said Bilawal Bhutto.

  • Heatwave Alert: All physical activities in Punjab schools suspended

    Heatwave Alert: All physical activities in Punjab schools suspended

    The Punjab health services director-general has issued an alert for educational institutions in the province, recommending administrators take efforts to safeguard students from the detrimental effects of the hot weather, which is projected to persist this week.

    The department issued a notification advising educational institution managers to be prepared to contact an emergency helpline if the need arises.

    All physical activities in schools have been suspended, and children must be reminded to drink plenty of water and wash their hands frequently to avoid dehydration.

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) recently issued a warning that a severe heatwave will hit the country this week as temperatures remain significantly above normal.

  • PML-N’s agrees on not holding early elections

    PML-N’s agrees on not holding early elections

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with his key cabinet members and party leaders, had a meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and it has been decided that there will be no early elections and the main focus of the current government should be on providing economic relief to the masses and also taking tough but long-term economic decisions, reports The News.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said that PM Shehbaz and ministers in his delegation presented a full report on Pakistan’s socio-economic and political situation to Nawaz Sharif.

    Aurangzeb further stated that the meeting deliberated upon the IMF conditions and how the people of Pakistan were affected by them.

    Marriyum Aurangzeb said there was nothing surprising in the London meeting.

    “Nawaz Sharif is our Quaid. The meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif was long overdue. We have inherited today’s Pakistan in a written-off situation and we needed to review the whole situation to formulate a plan. This was a private delegation.”

    When asked about early elections, she said that the current government’s “mandate is till next year and we are here to give relief to the people of Pakistan. It’s the history of Nawaz Sharif to take Pakistan out of economic crisis and if there is one person who can deliver, that’s Shehbaz Sharif. Only the PML-N has the right strategy.”