Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) believed in serving the masses and not politics of revenge and agitation.
Speaking about the rumours of compromising videos soon to be launched against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Iqbal said that PML-N does not have such videos nor does it have any intention but we have a record of Khan’s government’s performance.
Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Iqbal said that we consider such politics as inferior and third-degree politics. He said that Imran Khan’s incompetence and corruption are mountains of K2, and there is no need for anything else. “If Imran Khan or any minister has damaged the national treasury and there is evidence, they will go to jail.”
Regarding the allegations of a foreign conspiracy against Imran Khan, Ahsan Iqbal said that the inquiry regarding letter gate will be presented to the nation in a transparent manner. He further added that the government cannot form a commission of inquiry.
Iqbal said that Imran Khan can approach the court if he wants to form a judicial commission. “A letter has already been sent to the chief justice. If he thinks so, he can set up a commission.”
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) delegation had a meeting with Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Hamza Shehbaz. Power-sharing issues were discussed between CM Hamza and the PPP delegation, reports Geo News.
As per reports, it is being said that the PPP will give up the constitutional posts of Punjab and has decided not to take up the post of Governor. The PPP has also sought three ministries, more than two special assistants, and a chairmanship of a standing committee in Punjab. Besides, the PPP has also sought the posts of two parliamentary secretaries in Punjab.
Leaders of both PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have also agreed to work together.
Pakistan is delivering emergency aid commodities to Afghanistan, where severe rains and flooding killed several individuals and wrecked hundreds of residences.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on April 7, revealed that Pakistan dispatched a C-130 plane to Mazar-e-Sharif with emergency relief supplies for Afghans affected by flash floods.
According to Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), flooding and storms killed roughly 22 people and injured 40 others in 12 regions.
On Thursday, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif remarked that Pakistan is with Afghan people in this challenging hour and will provide them with every possible help. He stated that the Afghan people will receive all available assistance.
PM Sharif voiced grief over the loss of innocent lives in at least ten provinces of Afghanistan as a result of floods, and urged the international community to assist the Afghan people in the aftermath of the devastating floods in a country already suffering from a humanitarian and economic crisis.
He emphasised that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should step up efforts to help the Afghan people afflicted by the conflict through the Afghan Humanitarian Trust. PM Sharif suggested that the international world, particularly the United Nations, begin an assistance programme for Afghanistan to offer food, medical help, and shelter to the poor and homeless.
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and it’s pretty late to purchase a gift online as it may take days to arrive. It’s definitely risky.
But don’t lose hope. This year The Current has rounded up amazing gift ideas to surprise your mom. We often forget sometimes that our mothers are the easiest to buy gifts for and we usually take that for granted so this year we suggest to choose gifts that you have never given her. Let’s make this day a bit more special.
1- Gift card
Give your mother a gift card. There are several local brands that offer such cards so you can give it to your loved ones. Khaadi offers gift cards with a limit till Rs12,000. So why wait? Visit the nearest outlet of Khaadi or another Pakistani brand.
https://ourgiftspot.com/product/khaadi/
2- Chai bags or coffee sachets
Our mothers know how to keep the work going and caffeine is their fuel. Most of our mothers usually drink tea 5-6 times in a day. So buy plenty of tea bags, nicely put them in a basket with a cute note. If your mother likes coffee more, you can gift her a basket. It’s useful yet a thoughtful gift. You can get them from any supermarket.
3- Air purifier
In this ever-changing environment, one surely needs an air purifier. You can gift this to your mother. It’s good for her health as it is quite effective. You can visit Philips’ stores, which are in all major cities of Pakistan and purchase it instantly.
4- Plan a day out
Just you and your mom out for a lunch! Doesn’t it sound nice? Plan a whole day. First food and then hanging out or maybe shopping therapy could work. Just be with her and believe us it would mean the world to her.
5- Spend quality time with her
We often get too busy and occupied in our lives that we forget our mothers. You don’t have to take her out, just spend some time with and make her feel like a QUEEN. Put the phone away and live in the moment.
6- Make an album
Memories are everyone’s best friend. Select a few pictures of you and your mother and make a DIY album. We have attached some links so you can see some tutorials. Don’t worry, you can do it overnight. They are pretty easy, just get the essentials as soon as possible.
7- Mi health band
Health is everyone’s priority so it should be yours too. Buy your mother a Mi health band. This gift can be counted as a lavish gift.
Xiamo MI Band 6 is your very own fitness guru. It brings you a new reason to be motivated and kick-starts your fitness journey. Their latest fitness tracker is all you need to track your health and daily activities. The price of the band is Rs7,500.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Saturday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters will become human beings after being thrashed.
“This is your misconception that you will be able to cause anarchy or chaos in the country. Nothing will happen,” Sanaullah told former Prime Minister Imran Khan. “They [the supporters] will become human beings after a few thrashings.”
“Even yesterday, he (Imran Khan) told his supporters not to spare anyone. I am warning you for the last time — not as a minister — but as the president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab. If you don’t let go of these tactics and keep inciting your supporters to misbehave with members of other parties, you will face the same fate too. You won’t be able to escape from it.”
The minister warned Khan that if he didn’t mend his ways, the PML-N too would instruct its workers to “catch and beat them up”.
Rana Sanaullah demanded guarantees of a ‘peaceful’ PTI march to Islamabad as well.
“They will have to give [the government] assurances that the march will be peaceful, political, and democratic,” said Sanaullah.
Sanaullah also warned former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed and said, “You told people that this march will be bloody. I am warning you to take your words back or I won’t let you step out of your house.”
Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi responded to social media criticism he has been receiving after he expressed his views about PTI’s government in a recent interview.
In a video posted on YouTube with the caption, ‘Pakistan’s sovereignty above all’, Afridi said that he wanted to respond to “negative criticism” on social media. He started by saying that he is grateful that he was born in Pakistan and will continue to serve his country in every way that he can.
Afridi stated he has always admired Imran Khan’s leadership in cricket and politics.
“Imran Bhai is my ideal. I started cricket only because of him as Khan inspired me. He showed leadership in the 1992 World Cup and that’s why we won the World Cup.” Afridi also lauded Shaukat Khanum Hospital and said it is a huge contribution to our society by the former premier.
“I have always said that whoever comes to power should complete five years in government. I have always praised Imran Khan as a leader but it’s my right to disagree with his policies and views. Do not convert difference of opinion into hatred. In a civilised society, difference of opinion is tolerated.”
He also praised PTI government’s Sehat Card.
“I spoke as a common Pakistani regardless of any political ideology,” he added. “when I congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on becoming Prime Minister, I knew that I would be criticised for it. I didn’t do it due to any vested interest. Whoever becomes a leader of this country should be respected as he/she represents us all over the world.”
Afridi also thanked and praised overseas Pakistanis.
Previously, Afridi in an interview said Imran Khan committed numerous blunders during his time as Pakistan’s premier. He went on to say that Imran should own up to his mistakes and be held accountable for them. Afridi added that he and his family had high expectations for Imran Khan, but that he did not deliver.
Social media users criticised Afridi for voicing his political opinion and congratulating Prime Minister Shebaz Shairf.
The National Electric Electricity Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has increased the power price by Rs2.86 per unit for the month of March 2022 due to Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) and also issued a notification in this regard.
As per NEPRA’s notice, power consumers of Ex Wapda Distribution Companies (DISCOS) will be charged an increase of Rs2.86 per unit on account of FCA for March 2022 in their electricity bills for May 2022, resulting in an added strain of Rs29 billion on consumers, along with General Sales Tax (GST).
The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) had urged the administration to raise the electricity tariff by Rs3.16 per unit. Except for lifeline and K-Electric (KE) customers, the hike will apply to all consumer categories.
Moreover, the authority also announced Rs1.38 per unit increase for K-Electric customers. For the month of February 2022, Karachi Electric (KE) requested an increase of Rs3.45 per unit. The hike will be billed to electricity customers in May 2022, according to the announcement. Except for lifeline customers who use less than 100 units per month, the tariff increase would affect all KE customers.
United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday telephoned Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to congratulate him on becoming the country’s new foreign minister.
Bilawal Bhutto and Antony Blinken tweeted about the telephonic contact between the two counterparts.
Received call from @SecBlinken grateful for warm felicitations on my assumption of office. Exchanged views on: -Strengthening mutually beneficial, broadbased relationship -Promotion of peace,development & security -Agreed engagement with mutual respect is the way forward
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 6, 2022
The two also vowed to engage with mutual respect.
Spoke with Foreign Minister @BBhuttoZardari today. This year marks the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Pakistani relations, and we’re committed to strengthening our relationship and our cooperation on Afghan stability, combatting terrorism, and expanding commerce #PakUSAt75
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 6, 2022
It is being reported that Blinken extended an invitation to Bilawal to visit the US this month.
“An invitation was also extended by the Secretary of State for Pakistan’s participation in the Ministerial meeting on Global Food Security to be held in New York on 18 May 2022,” read a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
Building on the Pakistan-US cooperation in dealing with the Covid pandemic during the last two years, Secretary Blinken also invited Pakistan to the Second Global Covid Summit to be held virtually later this month.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday announced bank timings with five working days. The notification from the State Bank came after the federal government decided not to reinstate the Saturday weekly off, and decided to go with six working days with decreased working hours.
According to a notification issued in this regard, banks will observe office hours from 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Thursday with a prayer/lunch break from 1:30pm to 2:15pm.
On Friday, banks will observe timings from 9am to 6pm with a prayer/lunch break.
#SBP will observe following working days and office timings which shall also be followed by all banks: Monday to Thursday: 09:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m pic.twitter.com/udpMHLhYb0
The Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) offices will be open on Saturday, but the stock market and the business sector will operate on a five-day schedule and will be closed on Saturday.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government implemented two-day weekly holidays in 2011 with the goal of conserving energy.
Pakistan’s liquid foreign reserves were depleted by $115 million in the week ending April 30, 2022, a 0.7 per cent drop from the previous week.
According to the SBP weekly report unveiled on Friday, Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves declined by $115 million (-0.7 per cent) to $16.553 billion on April 30, 2022, from $16.668 billion the previous week.
Due to external debt payments, the SBP reserves fell by $59 million to $10.499 billion (-0.6 per cent) from $10.558 billion a week earlier.
