Tag: Pakistan government

  • Government mulling handing over Karachi Ports to UAE

    Government mulling handing over Karachi Ports to UAE

    In a last-ditch attempt to raise much needed foreign exchange, Pakistan’s government is planning to finalise a deal to hand over Karachi’s port terminals to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    This move may constitute the first intergovernmental transaction under the Intergovernmental Commercial Transactions Act, a law which was enacted last year in 2022. This law is aimed at selling state assets on a fast-track basis to raise funds.

    Last year, Pakistan’s coalition government created the effective-immediately bill to raise emergency funds.

    Finance Minister Ishaq Dar chaired the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions on Monday. A decision was made to set up a committee that would negotiate a commercial agreement between the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and the UAE government, as reported by The Express Tribune.

    The negotiation committee constituted to finalise a framework agreement will be headed by the Minister for Maritime Affairs, Faisal Sabzwari. Committee members include the additional secretaries of Finance and Foreign Affairs, the special assistant to PM Jehanzeb Khan, the Chairman of the Karachi Port Terminal (KPT), and the general managers of the KPT.

    The UAE government had shown interest in acquiring the Karachi port terminals that were under the administrative control of Pakistan International Containers Terminals (PICT) last year. However, for now, PICT will maintain operational control over the ports.

    The Ministry of Maritime Affairs (MoMa) released the following statement, as reported by Dawn: “KPT was of the view that they couldn’t operate the terminal due to lack of time and resources and interface with the clients/shipping lines and the timeframe for bidding had lapsed and the events have created an unforeseeable situation where the time limits laid down for open or other methods of procurement cannot be met.”

    The MoMA said and went on to report that “the (KPT) has, therefore, recommended that in the given circumstance only PICT is in a position to provide management services to keep the terminal operational”.

    According to The Express Tribune, sources indicate that the government needs to be extra careful when finalising a deal with the UAE, considering it is the first transaction of its kind and the outgoing operator is posing some challenges.

    Pakistan’s IMF loan of $6.5 billion was signed in 2019 and is set to terminate on June 30. Its termination date drawing closer has sent panic through the Pakistani government. Already suffering one of the worst economic crises Pakistan has faced, the threat of the country defaulting looms ominously near.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the ambassadors the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the European Union, Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Sharif wants to rouse support for the revival of Pakistan’s stalled deal with the IMF.

    The prime minister stressed that the government was keen to get at least the $ 1.2 billion IMF loan tranche out of the remaining $2.6 billion, which is attached with the completion of the pending 9th review of the program, according to sources at The Week.

  • Pakistan to implement separate gas tariffs for rich and poor

    Pakistan to implement separate gas tariffs for rich and poor

    Dr Musadik Masood Malik, the State Minister for Petroleum, has announced that the government of Pakistan will implement a new system of gas tariffs that will differentiate between the rich and the poor. The purpose of this measure is to provide relief to low-income citizens who struggle to pay their gas bills.

    According to Dr Malik, the government will apply “various slabs” for the poor that will be “three times less than those of rich using the same or more gas under the same slabs.” He made this announcement during a press conference at the Lahore Press Club on Sunday.

    In addition to this, the government will supply locally explored gas or the reserves to be explored in the future to gas-fired power plants for cheap energy generation. The goal of this measure is to bring down the electricity tariff for the public at large. According to Dr Malik, the cost of generating electricity through LNG is Rs26 per unit, while it is only Rs7 when plants are operated on indigenous gas.

    Dr Malik also pointed out that only 1,000 super-rich people have captured the country of 220 million people. He deplored the fact that Pakistan provides gas at a much lower cost of “just 70 cents” per MMBTU, compared to rich countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain, where the cost is $2, $3, and $4 per MMBTU, respectively.

    He also criticised the government’s policies for creating a divide between the rich and the poor. He blamed Prime Minister Imran Khan for turning Pakistan into two countries, one for the rich and the other for the poor. He stated that “one Pakistan is that where a poor man is sent to jail for stealing bread for his children while the other one is that where a man involved in stealing watches and diamonds worth billions of rupees is sitting in his home.” He also stated that “one Pakistan is for the poor seeking money for medicines, while in the other, the people have been importing billions of dollars’ worth of precious vehicles.”

    As a result, Dr Malik announced that the government has decided to tax the rich and the powerful, not the poor or the weaker ones. He stated that the government stands with the poor, which represents around 60 per cent of the population, and that they have either reduced or maintained the gas tariff for them. He maintained that “we are the poor, as we were with them in old Pakistan.”

  • PKR 1.5m needed: Snooker champion Ahsan Ramzan criticises govt’s attitude

    PKR 1.5m needed: Snooker champion Ahsan Ramzan criticises govt’s attitude

    Snooker Champion Ahsan Ramzan has expressed disappointment over the non-supportive behaviour of the government officials in a recent interview given to Geo News. He was the first youngest Pakistani who won the IBSF World Snooker Championship by defeating the Iranian player last month in Qatar.

    Ahsan is living in a room inside the club where he receives training in Lahore. He believes that support from the government departments will give more time to focus on sports.

    In a Geo News interview, he said, “I have not received any support from the government so far. However, the government has now changed which is why I’m hopeful that they will support me as they did with former champion Muhammad Asif in the past.”

    He further added, “I want a job from a department so that I can focus on snooker with a steady income,” he said. “If that doesn’t happen, I will be forced to start a business which will make it difficult for me to focus on the sport.”

    Ahsan Ramzan is considering participating in Asia-Oceania Q School if he did not receive any financial support from the Pakistan government. However, he appealed that he needs PKR 1.5 million as sponsorship to get enrolled in school.

    Asia-Oceania Q School 2022 will commence on June 1 in Bangkok, Thailand. The finalists who will earn a two-year card to the World Snooker Tour will play two tournaments. In total, four players will be awarded a place on the professional circuit for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.

    Interested players who are residing in Asia and Oceania can participate in the event with an entry fee of £400.

  • Positivity rate in Karachi reaches 28%, CM Sindh to impose lockdown on NCOC’s directives

    Positivity rate in Karachi reaches 28%, CM Sindh to impose lockdown on NCOC’s directives

    Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah stated on Friday that the decision to impose a lockdown and closure of educational institutions will be made in accordance with the recommendations of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). The Covid positivity rate in Karachi has reached to 28.80%.

    “The health department is monitoring the cases regularly. The fifth wave is rapidly spreading, not just in Karachi, but across the country,” he said while talking to media.

    “Whatever strategy we adopt, it will be in consultation with NCOC.” he added

    As per NCOC, Pakistan recorded 3567 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours with seven people losing their lives to the deadly virus.

  • ‘If five thousand guests come to someone’s house without telling him what he can do’: Fawad on Murree

    ‘If five thousand guests come to someone’s house without telling him what he can do’: Fawad on Murree

    Federal Minister for information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry addressed the tragic Murree incident and said when tens of thousand vehicles enter an area simultaneously there would be chaos.

    According to him, all the vehicles entered Murree within 24 hours despite several warnings from the administration.

    In a press conference along with the Federal Minister of Education Shafqat Mahmood, Fawad said, “If five thousand guests come to someone’s house without telling him what he can do.”

    Referring to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s statement, “We are looking into the situation. We should learn from such incidents.”

    The federal minister also defended his previous statement that the common man traveling to Murree shows they’re getting rich by saying that the economy is getting “stronger”.

    He urged the media to advise people, not to go to northern areas as they are already full. Moreover, he updated that Express Highway is cleared and the evacuation process is underway.

    Talking about the Opposition’s criticism, he said they just did politics and pointed out Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

    As of now, 22 deaths have been reported in Murree. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said the authorities would evacuate 1,000 vehicles by today evening, while the roads would remain closed to Murree till tomorrow 9pm.

  • Pakistan lowers Covid vaccination eligibility age to 15

    Pakistan lowers Covid vaccination eligibility age to 15

    The government has officially decided to further lower the Covid vaccination eligibility age to 15 years, reported Geo News.

    Children between the ages of 15 and 18 will be vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) said.

    According to the NCOC, Pfizer vaccine will be available at all central vaccination centres across the country. Moreover a registration certificate will be required for children up to the age of 18 to be vaccinated.

    In combating the pandemic, the NCOC has also taken another step by sending mobile vaccination teams to visit schools and colleges for vaccination.

    Meanwhile, NCOC has said that all those people whose second dose against Covid-19 has become due are not required to wait for the sms message and can visit any vaccination centre throughout the week.

    A day earlier, NCOC head Asad Umar had announced on Twitter that more than 20 million people in Pakistan are now fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

    Pakistan has administered at least 66,456,245 doses of Covid vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs two doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 15.3 per cent of the country’s population.

  • ‘Absolute rubbish’ – Govt reacts to ex-FIA chief’s accusations

    ‘Absolute rubbish’ – Govt reacts to ex-FIA chief’s accusations

    Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farogh Naseem and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar have denied serious allegations levelled by ex-FIA director general (DG) Bashir Memon.

    Reacting to Memon’s statement, wherein he had accused PM Imran among others of framing Justice Qazi Faez Isa and major political player, the premier’s adviser on accountability Akbar vehemently rejected the same.

    He said Memon had committed “slander” and said he had directed his lawyers to initiate legal action against the former head of the FIA.

    “Just seen absolute rubbish uttered by Bashir Memon on Shahzeb show. He was never called for any meeting with PM or myself on QFI (Qazi Faez Isa) issue, and there was no meeting with law minister and him as he claims,” he said in a tweet, “similarly he was never told to start any case against any specific individual. Only case referred to FIA was of sedition by the fed cabinet. I have instructed lawyers in personal capacity to initiate legal action for his slander.”

    Law minister Naseem said all allegations levelled by Memon were false and baseless, adding that he never spoke a word to the former DG FIA about Justice Isa. He also pinpointed that Azam Khan, Shahzad Akbar and Bashir Memon had never showed up at his office, contrary to Memon’s allegations.

    “PM Imran Khan, Azam Khan, or Shahzad Akbar never told me that they had a word about Justice Isa with Bashir Memon,” he added.

  • Adnan Siddiqui, Christian Turner pledge to promote cultural ties

    Adnan Siddiqui and British High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Christian Turner have pledged to promote cultural exchange between the United Kingdom and Pakistan.

    Sharing pictures of their meeting, Siddiqui said: “In these times of global inclusivity, the world is an oyster in every sense of the word. I firmly believe that cross-cultural exchange across all fields will shape the new order of diplomacy.”

    He said the two have pledged to further Pakistan-England ties through “education, entertainment, and cricket.”

    The actor also thanked the British High Commissioner for his time, writing: “May our friendship grow personally and diplomatically.”

    Responding to Siddiqui’s post, Dr Turner said: “The pleasure was mine.”

    “Great to hear about Mere Pass Tum Ho and discuss UK-Pakistan dosti,” he added.

    Later, Dr Turner shared another picture with Siddiqui and The Legend of Maula Jutt producer Ammara Hikmat and wrote: “Pakistan’s TV and films attract a big following in the UK, working to boost the industry”, hinting towards future cross-cultural collaborations between the two countries.

    Recently, Humayun Saeed announced that he and Siddiqui are working on a project in collaboration with Turkish artists.

  • Pakistan cricket team’s equipment could be siezed by company NAB owes money to

    Pakistan cricket team’s equipment could be siezed by company NAB owes money to

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has played down reports that a company based in the Isle of Man may seize assets owned by the Pakistan team currently in the United Kingdom (UK), as part of an old legal dispute between the firm and the Pakistan government.

    A report quoted a letter from Broadsheet LLC to the Pakistan government in which it said it would “seize the assets of the Pakistani cricket team” because of longstanding dues owed to it by the government.

    The PCB has been in touch with the Pakistan Embassy in the UK and is believed to have been satisfied that there is little prospect of this actually happening. That belief lies in the legal opinion that the Pakistan team is representative of the PCB, an autonomous body, and not of the Pakistan state or government, and so is not a party to the case or liable for the damages.

    In the letter, Broadsheet says that the Pakistan team is “by the very nature, an asset of the defendant and that monies due to the team and assets of the team are assets of the defendant to the litigation”.

    The legal dispute dates back to the early 2000s, when Broadsheet was hired by General (r) Pervez Musharraf, who was the head of state of Pakistan then, to trace out hidden assets of Pakistan nationals in foreign countries. Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had signed an agreement with Broadsheet, which was eventually terminated in 2003. The termination had led to a legal dispute, one resolved in 2018, when an international arbitration court in London ruled in favour of Broadsheet, and established that the NAB was liable to pay damages. It is this payment that remains outstanding.

    The letter quoted by the report was written by Broadsheet to Allen & Overy, the firm that represented the Pakistan government and the NAB in the case, and said that Broadsheet was owed “more than $33 million” after it won the arbitration.

    ESPNCricinfo reached out to NAB for a comment, but the body has not confirmed or denied any threat to the cricket team’s equipment being seized.

    The Pakistan team will play three Tests and three T20 International (T20I) matches against England, with the first Test scheduled to start on August 5 in Manchester. The final T20I will take place on September 1.

  • Pakistan to celebrate ‘Surprise Day’ on Abhinandan’s capture anniversary

    Pakistan to celebrate ‘Surprise Day’ on Abhinandan’s capture anniversary

    Pakistan has announced to celebrate ‘Surprise Day’ on February 27 as a tribute to the retaliatory attack by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after India’s Balakot airstrike, The Express Tribune has reported.

    On Feb 27, 2019, the PAF carried out Operation Swift Retort and shot down two Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft and dropped bombs within the compounds of Indian military facilities in occupied Kashmir – as a warning to the country’s belligerent neighbour.

    The Pakistani military had lived up to its promise to ‘surprise’ India in wake of any misadventure, saying that ‘uncalled-for aggression’ from the Indian military  ‘would not go unpunished’.

    The operation also resulted in the capture of an Indian pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, after his Mig-21 was shot down. The pilot was later handed over to Indian authorities as ‘a goodwill gesture’.

    The rare aerial engagement significantly raised the stakes in the perilous standoff came a day after Delhi claimed its aircraft had launched an airstrike on what it called the “biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Muhammad” militant group inside Pakistan – a claim debunked by Islamabad.

    “The sole purpose of this [PAF] action was to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self-defence. We do not wish to escalate, but we’re fully prepared if forced into that paradigm,” the Foreign Office had said in a statement.

    The then director-general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Asif Ghafoor, said Indian jets were shot down after PAF planes earlier struck targets across the Line of Control (LoC) in a show of strength.

    Afterwards, he said, the two Indian warplanes crossed the LoC into Pakistani airspace. They were engaged by PAF jets and downed. One fell into Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), while the other crashed on the other side of the LoC, he had said.

    “In response to PAF strikes this morning, as released by MoFA, IAF [Indian Air Force] crossed [the] LoC,” he said. “[The] PAF shot down two Indian aircraft inside Pakistani airspace. One of the aircraft fell inside AJK while [the] other fell inside IOK. One Indian pilot arrested by troops on the ground.”