Blog

  • Pakistan on track to secure second IMF tranche successfully: PM Kakar

    Pakistan on track to secure second IMF tranche successfully: PM Kakar

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar expressed optimism about Pakistan’s upcoming review with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), set for this month.

    The IMF, led by Nathan Porter, will visit Pakistan from November 2–16 to discuss the first review of the country’s current $3 billion stand-by arrangement (SBA).

    Pakistan is navigating a challenging economic recovery path under a caretaker government following an IMF loan programme approval in July, which prevented a sovereign debt default. The country received the first $1.2 billion tranche from the IMF in July.

    Kakar stated that Pakistan has successfully achieved its targets, including revenue goals, and is confident about the negotiations for the second tranche.

    Regarding inflation, the interim prime minister acknowledged a decrease in inflation rates, attributing it to the Pakistani rupee’s appreciation against the dollar and a drop in petroleum prices. 

    The prime minister also encouraged journalists to analyse the impact of the Pakistani rupee’s strength on circular debt and highlighted that stringent measures against smuggling through Afghan transit trade have boosted local industry productivity.

  • World Cup not over for Pakistan, says skipper Babar Azam

    World Cup not over for Pakistan, says skipper Babar Azam

    Pakistan captain Babar Azam said Tuesday that he still clings onto hope that his team can squeeze into the World Cup semi-finals despite the odds stacked against them.

    “Yes. We are trying to win our next two matches and let’s see where we stand,” said Azam after a seven-wicket romp over Bangladesh gave them a third win in seven matches.

    “We will take a lot of confidence into those matches.”

    Pakistan have six points and sit in fifth place in the 10-nation table.

    Australia, in fourth place, have eight points and a game in hand while third-placed New Zealand are third, also on eight points, having also played one game fewer.

    Pakistan face the Kiwis on Saturday in Bengaluru before finishing their group campaign against defending champions England in Kolkata on November 11.

    As well as two wins, the 1992 champions will need other results go their way if they are to stay in the tournament.

    On Tuesday, Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed three wickets while openers Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique made 81 and 68 respectively as Pakistan chased down a 205-run target for the loss of three wickets with 105 balls to spare.

    “We know when Fakhar plays the way he can for 20-30 overs it is a different ball game. So we let him play his natural game and it is good to see,” said Azam of Zaman, the only Pakistan batsman to have scored a double century in one-day international cricket.

    Azam added: “We started well. Shaheen took early wickets. The main thing is we stuck to our length in the middle overs and we took wickets.”

    Fakhar, a 33-year-old left-hander, was playing only his second match of the tournament after being sidelined with a knee injury.

    “We were anxiously waiting for this win,” said Zaman.

    “Every win in the World Cup boosts the confidence and our aim is to win the remaining two matches. Our target is semi-final.”

    Zaman admitted the defeat to India earlier in the tournament had been a bodyblow but the team had gained new confidence by pushing South Africa all the way.

    Pakistan fought hard against the Proteas only to lose by a narrow one-wicket margin in Chennai on Friday.

    “That loss to India made the difference, every match against India does but we fought well in the South Africa match and that fight gave us much-needed rhythm,” said Zaman.

    Zaman also said the impact of his injury was not as severe as first feared.

    “I was batting well in the nets and had the team needed me before I would have played but my aim is to always score runs that help the team win.”

    Bounce Back

    Bangladesh became the first team to be eliminated after six losses in seven games.

    “At this moment we have to perform together in all three departments. It’s not any individual that can win us games,” said captain Shakib Al Hasan.

    His team still have two games to play in the round-robin stage against Sri Lanka in New Delhi on November 6 and against Australia in Pune five days later.

    “We need collective performances. Two more matches hopefully we can bounce back,” said Shakib, playing in his fourth World Cup.

    “The fans supported us and are behind us whether we are doing well or not. We have to give something back to them so they can smile.”

  • Govt decides not to reduce petrol, diesel prices

    Govt decides not to reduce petrol, diesel prices

    The caretaker government announced on Tuesday that petrol and diesel prices would remain unchanged until November 15. 

    Furthermore, the government reduced the prices of kerosene and light-speed diesel by Rs 3.82 and Rs3.40 per litre. Kerosene and light-speed diesel will now be priced at Rs211.03 and Rs189.46 per litre, respectively.

    In the previous review on October 15, the caretaker government had announced a reduction of Rs 40 and Rs15 in petrol and diesel prices, bringing them to Rs283.38 and Rs303.18 per litre, respectively. 

    This adjustment was made in response to the continuous appreciation of the local currency against the greenback and fluctuations in international petroleum product prices.

  • Markhor hunting permit auctioned for $212,000

    Markhor hunting permit auctioned for $212,000

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s departments of Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department on Monday auctioned four liscences for the hunting of Kashmir Markhor in Chitral and Kohistan districts with the highest ever bid recorded at $212,000. The bids for the second, third and fourth were $185,000, $135,900 and $135,000 respectively.

    A week ago, on October 26, the bid for hunting the prized Astore Markhor was conducted in Gilgit Baltistanunder GB Forest, Park and Wildlife Department, which fetched a record $186,000. This was followed by $181,000 for second, $177,000 for the third and $171,000 for the fourth.

    The national animal of Pakistan, Markhor, found in the Northern Areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan, is a species at near risk of extinction. Trophy hunting programs are conducted to help the local communities preserve the species and it’s habitat.

    80 per cent of the proceeds go to the development of local communities, their education and healthcare while the remaining is deposited into government’s treasury.

    However, Wildlife and Climate experts are extremely critical of these trophies for they believe that this is worsening the already dreadful condition of rare species. Even though the Hunting Guidelines specify that only old Markhors are to be hunted to make room for younger ones to procreate, violations of these rules are often observed in the form of killing of young species and the use of inappropriate weaponry.

  • World Cup 2023: Pakistan defeats Bangladesh by seven wickets, semi-final hopes still alive

    World Cup 2023: Pakistan defeats Bangladesh by seven wickets, semi-final hopes still alive

    In the 31st match of the ICC ODI World Cup, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh easily by seven wickets and entered the race to reach the semi-finals.

    In the match played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and decided to bat first. Opener Tanzid Hasan was promptly dismissed by Shaheen Afraid for zero in the first over, later Najamul Hussain Shanto was also dismissed by Shaheen after scoring only four runs.

    Haris Rauf sent Mushfiqur Rahim back to the pavilion, while Iftikhar Ahmed guided Latin Das to the pavilion after he scored 45 runs. Mahmudullah, who scored 56 runs for Bangladesh, was also dismissed by Shaheen. Captain Shakib Al Hasan scored 43, Tawheed seven, Mehidi Hasan 25, Taskin Ahmed six, and Mustafizur Rahman three. The entire Bangladesh team was bowled out for 204 runs in 45.1 overs.

    On behalf of Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Wasim took three wickets each, while Haris Rauf took two wickets, and Iftikhar Ahmed and Usama Mir took one wicket each.

    Chasing Bangladesh’s target of 205 runs, Pakistan got off to a good start, with openers Abdullah Shafiq and Fakhar Zaman putting on a brilliant 128-run partnership. However, Abdullah then got out after scoring 68 runs off 69 balls. Fakhar Zaman got out with after putting up a brilliant 81 runs off 74 balls, his innings included 7 sixes and 3 fours.

    Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed remained unbeaten by scoring 26 runs and 17 runs on behalf of Pakistan, the green shirts easily achieving the required target in 32.3 overs.

    Bangladesh’s Mehdi Hasan dismissed three players. Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman was named player of the match for his brilliant batting.

    Cricket World Cup standings after Tuesday’s match (played, won, lost, tied, no result, points, net run rate):

    India 6 6 0 0 0 12 1.405

    South Africa 6 5 1 0 0 10 2.032

    New Zealand 6 4 2 0 0 8 1.232

    Australia 6 4 2 0 0 8 0.970

    Pakistan 7 3 4 0 0 6 -0.024

    Afghanistan 6 3 3 0 0 6 -0.718

    Sri Lanka 6 2 4 0 0 4 -0.275

    Netherlands 6 2 4 0 0 4 -1.277

    Bangladesh 7 1 6 0 0 2 -1.446

    England 6 1 5 0 0 2 -1.652

    Note: Top four teams qualify for the semi-finals

  • Pakistan Spearhead Shaheen Reaches 100 ODI Wickets

    Pakistan Spearhead Shaheen Reaches 100 ODI Wickets

    Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi took his 100th wicket in one-day internationals during the World Cup match against Bangladesh in Kolkata on Tuesday.

    The 23-year-old trapped Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan with the fifth delivery of his first over for nought, reaching the 100-wicket milestone in his 51st game.

    Shaheen is the 21st bowler from Pakistan to take 100 or more wickets in ODIs, with fellow left-arm pacer Wasim Akram topping the list with 502 wickets in 356 matches.

    Shaheen made his ODI debut against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi during the Asia Cup in 2018 and has since become one of the top new ball bowlers in all formats of the game.

    Shaheen has 105 wickets in 27 Tests and 64 in 52 Twenty20 internationals.

  • Afghan kids’ sentimental reactions on leaving Pakistan

    Amidst the deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, a large number of children born and raised in Pakistan, not ready to leave their friends and schools, are being forced to leave too. Videos featuring the children bidding farewells are going viral on the internet.

    In one, a young Afghani boy can be seen saying goodbye to his classmates.

    In another one, little Afghan girls can be seen singing the National Anthem and expressing their disappointment on leaving since all they know is that Pakistan is their home.

    Worrisome pictures have also emerged on X (formerly Twitter) with claims that some of the Afghan children are being presented in court after being arrested from their madrassahs and schools in Karachi. Afghan refugee advocate Moniza Kakkar has said, “This raises serious concerns about their legal rights as refugees”.

  • Imran Khan’s lawyer retracts from ‘slow poisoning’ statement

    Imran Khan’s lawyer retracts from ‘slow poisoning’ statement

    In the latest development, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s lawyer, Aftab Bajwa, said that he misunderstood what Imran Khan said. According to him, Khan feared that he might be slow poisoned.

    Earlier, Aftab Bajwa, said while talking to media that Imran Khan told lawyers that he is being slow-poisoned by toxic substances in his shoes.

    The lawyer also said that the PTI chairman could be a victim of slow-poisoning via the food in Adiala jail because Khan informed his council that home-cooked food is not allowed.

    Bajwa also stated in a media talk that Imran Khan told him that the secret agencies of Pakistan are doing all this.

    PTI’s core committee is holding an urgent meeting about the information that Khan shared with his lawyers during a recent meeting.

    Earlier, Khan was also worried about his health, and in a message through his family on October 28, he stated, “At the moment, I am physically fit. I would know if my body was experiencing changes from weakness. But they have already made two public attempts to take my life. Since I won’t agree to leave my country, there is, of course, a danger that they will try to make another attempt on my life while I am in jail. Such an attempt could also be through slow poisoning.”

  • Nawaz Sharif to chair in-person party meeting after almost four years

    Nawaz Sharif to chair in-person party meeting after almost four years

    Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is going to chair an in-person party meeting after a gap of almost four years, to formulate a campaign as general elections loom nearer, Geo News has reported on Tuesday.

    Senior party leaders have started reaching the PML-N supremo’s residence, Jati Umra, for the important huddle.

    A discussion on the political situation of the country is also on the meeting’s agenda.

    The party’s leadership will also discuss plans for the resumption of Nawaz’s political activities in Pakistan, and finalizing a schedule for the PML-N head’s countrywide tours will also be discussed in the meeting.

    Party members will discuss and plan the launch of election campaign.

  • Al-Quds hospital under threat, thousands of people in danger: What we know about day 25

    Continuous attacks near Al-Quds Hospital

    The Palestine Red Crescent Society has been updating about the incessant artillery and air strikes in the Tal al-Hawa area in northern Gaza in the area where Al-Quds Hospital is situated.

    “The building is trembling and the displaced civilians and the working crews are experiencing fear and panic,” they reported on social media.

    Hundreds of patients and more than 12,000 displaced Gazans are being sheltered in Al-Quds.

    Israel has called for the evacuation of the hospital as they are likely to attack it — which human rights experts deem as a blatant war crime.

    Israel using white phosphorus in attacks in South Lebanon: Amnesty

    Rights group, Amnesty International has confirmed that “the Israeli army indiscriminately, and therefore unlawfully, used white phosphorous in an attack on Dhayra, in south Lebanon, on October 16.”

    “The attack must be investigated as a war crime,” Amnesty International posted on X.

    Countries in conversation

    Saudi defence minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud stressed the need for “an immediate ceasefire in Gaza” as he met with US National Security adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington on Monday.

    The White House, on the other hand, reportedly said Sullivan “confirmed President [Joe] Biden’s commitment to support the defence of US partners against threats from state and non-state actors, including those backed by Iran”.

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani about increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza on an emergency basis.

    So far, at least four captives have been released from Gaza through Qatari mediation.

    According to the Axios news, the head of Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, Mossad, visited Doha, to discuss the possible release of more hostages.

    31 journalists killed

    The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 31 journalists have been killed in Israel-Palestine escalation.

    Among the killed are 26 Palestinians, four Israelis and one Lebanese.

    Eight journalists have been said to be injured, nine journalists are reported missing or detained.

    As per the report, more journalists have died in the current escalation than in any other conflict since 1992.

    300 targets attacked in Gaza

    About 300 targets have been attacked overnight in Gaza, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly claimed.

    60 Palestinians arrested in occupied West Bank

    At least 60 Palestinians have been arrested across the occupied West Bank, according to the Commission of Detainees’ Affairs and the Palestinian Society Prisoner’s Club.

    Al Jazeera quotes that they have claimed “Arrests are accompanied with torture and abusive attacks against detainees and their families, as well as the policy of collective punishment, destroying property,”

    Since October 7, 1,740 arrest cases have been documented in the occupied West Bank.