Tag: Pakistan

  • Sindh announces bus service for Hindu pilgrimage 

    Sindh announces bus service for Hindu pilgrimage 

    Sindh Minority Affairs Department, under the direction of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has announced a bus service to facilitate Pakistani Hindus who cannot afford the travel expenses of the pilgrimage to Shri Hinglaj Mata.

    This was announced by Sindh Minister for Minority Affairs Giyan Chand Esrani at Swami Narayan Mandir while inaugurating the construction work of the development scheme for Guru Nanak Durbar in Karachi.

    Hinglaj Yatra is the pilgrimage to the cave temple of Hindu Devi – Shri Hinglaj Mata – on the Makran coast in the Lasbela district of Balochistan. More than 250,000 people take part in the Hinglaj Yathra every year. 

    Sindh Minority Affairs Department stated that the bus service will begin on July 15. Gyan Chand Esrani said that lunch will be provided to the pilgrims during the journey, while those pilgrims who want to stay there for a couple of days during the pilgrimage will be provided with resting facilities by the department.

    He said that the application for the pilgrimage would be sent to the Director of Minority Affairs through District Panchayat. He also announced the construction of a hostel for poor girl students at Swami Narayan Mandir.

    Hinglaj Mata is one of the three Shakti Peethas in Pakistan, the other two being Shivaharkaray and Sharada Peeth. Over the last three decades, the place has gained popularity and become a unifying point for Pakistan’s Hindu community.

    The temple Shri Hinglaj Mata is in a small natural cave, in a narrow gorge in the hilly area of Lyari Tehsil in Balochistan. It lies within the domain of the Hingol National Park, lying on the west bank of the Hingol River.

  • Nawaz moves to address Maulana’s concerns over Dubai meeting

    Nawaz moves to address Maulana’s concerns over Dubai meeting

    Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League– Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has invited head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam- Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman to Dubai to dispel his reservations about the recent meeting of coalition partners in Dubai, The News has reported.

    The JUI-F chief has claimed that he was not taken into confidence on Dubai gatherings headed by Nawaz Sharif.

    Sharif is currently in Saudi Arabia and will leave for Dubai instead of London. According to the sources of Geo news, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has convinced him to hold elections on time.
    On the other hand, Nawaz Sharif tasked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to woo Maulana about the recent meeting between coalition partners in Dubai.

  • ‘Recharge Pakistan’ climate resilience project approved for funding

    ‘Recharge Pakistan’ climate resilience project approved for funding

    Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change, Sherry Rehman, tweeted her joy on Tuesday at the ‘Recharge Pakistan’ project receiving approval for funding. A joint collaboration by Global Climate Fund (GCF), WWF and the Government of Pakistan, the project aims to build climate resilience through multiple Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA) interventions.

    The project is said to be implemented over the next seven years and will be receiving resources of $66 million from GCF, and $11.8 million from co-financing organisations. 

    The EBA interventions are comprised of three components: firstly, to store flood water in wetlands, floodplains, and depressions (also known as green infrastructure) at several priority sites. 

    Secondly, the project is designed to build community resilience amongst those Pakistani communities particularly vulnerable to climate change. 

    Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the project aims to enable a paradigm shift towards ecosystem-based adaptation in Pakistan in order to scale up more projects with this approach.

    As Senator Rehman also said, the project is aimed to enable the Government of Pakistan, “including all lead provinces and stakeholders”, to implement and replicate nature-based solutions for climate change.

    The tentative goal is that by 2030, there would be a reduction of flood risk, with enhanced water recharge at six sites in the Indus Basin, building resilience amongst 10 million people and vulnerable ecosystems. 

    In order to ensure that the aforementioned EBA interventions are sustained and continue to function effectively, WWF states that the project will ensure that climate-adapted, community-based natural resource management is implemented locally. 

    Thus, Recharge Pakistan will hopefully contribute towards improving water and food security at a national level, and climate-adapted livelihoods locally, increasing resilience through the protection and restoration of ecosystems and building the climate resilience of vulnerable communities in the Indus Basin.

    As one of the countries most threatened by climate change, the approved funding for Recharge Pakistan is definitely a win. More nature-based solutions for climate change could help our country escape imminent disaster while preserving and rebuilding what’s left of our environment.

  • Nimra Bucha set to star in BBC’s Agatha Christie adaptation ‘Murder is easy’

    Nimra Bucha set to star in BBC’s Agatha Christie adaptation ‘Murder is easy’

    Theater veteran Nimra Bucha has been on a roll since working in coveted projects like ‘Ms Marvel’, ‘Churails’ and ‘Polite Society’. Now, Variety reports that the Pakistani actress is set to work in the BBC drama adaption of the popular Agatha Christie novel ‘Murder Is Easy’.

    The cast comprises of ‘Lord of the Rings’ lead Morfydd Clark and Downtown Abbey’s Penelope Wilton.

    Filming for the adaptation is currently taking place in Scotland, with ‘Industry’ actor David Johnson set to play the lead as Fitzwilliam. Set in 1945 England, Fitzwilliam encounters an old woman, Ms Pinkerton, on the train, who tells him of a murderer on the loose in the quiet village of Wychwood under Ashe. While locals dismiss the murders, Miss Pinkerton remains unsure and seeks help from Scotland Yard, but is found mysteriously dead on her way. After this, Fitzwilliam takes matter in his own hands and investigates who the murderer is.

    The two-part series is written by Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre while Meenu Gaur of Zinda Bhaag and World on Fire, will be directing.

  • Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves boosted by $2 billion deposit from Saudi Arabia

    Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves boosted by $2 billion deposit from Saudi Arabia

    Pakistan’s central bank has received a significant financial boost of $2 billion from Saudi Arabia, as announced by Federal Minister Ishaq Dar. This infusion of funds will greatly bolster the country’s low foreign exchange reserves.

    During a media briefing on Tuesday, Dar expressed gratitude, stating, “Our brother nation, Saudi Arabia, has deposited $2 billion into the account of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).” He further emphasised that this contribution will directly enhance Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.

    At the close of last week, the SBP’s forex reserves grew by $393 million to reach $4.463 billion, primarily due to official government inflows. Over the past two weeks, the SBP’s reserves have surged by $937 million. However, it is important to note that these reserves still only cover approximately a month’s worth of imports.

    Dar stated, “These $2 billion will be reflected in the SBP’s reserves by the week ending 14th July.” The finance minister also commended the Saudi government, specifically King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, for their instrumental role in this gesture of support. Dar extended heartfelt appreciation to the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for depositing $2 billion with the SBP and expressed optimism about future positive economic developments. He declared that Pakistan’s economic situation has nearly stabilised and is poised for growth.

    This development follows the recent announcement by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that its staff and Pakistani authorities have reached an agreement on policies backed by a $3 billion, nine-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The staff-level agreement is pending approval by the IMF Executive Board, with a decision expected on 12th July.

    Read more: Pakistan commits to 4% annual profit on $2 billion deposit from Saudi Arabia

    Nathan Porter, IMF Mission Chief to Pakistan, stated, “The new SBA builds upon the authorities’ efforts under Pakistan’s 2019 EFF-supported program, which expires at the end of June.” The new IMF arrangement, viewed as highly favorable for the government and economy amidst the ongoing crisis, extends Pakistan’s commitment to the lender well into the second half of fiscal year 2023-24. Moreover, it represents an upgrade from earlier expectations of receiving $1.1 billion following the ninth review.

    Experts have consistently emphasised the critical nature of resuming the IMF bailout package for Pakistan, a cash-strapped South Asian economy grappling with a balance of payments crisis. In addition to mitigating risks of potential default, the funding from the international lender is expected to pave the way for additional inflows from Pakistan’s multilateral and bilateral partners.

  • Local manufacturing plants in Pakistan assemble 4.88 million mobile phones in first five months of 2023

    Local manufacturing plants in Pakistan assemble 4.88 million mobile phones in first five months of 2023

    According to official data, local manufacturing plants in Pakistan have successfully manufactured and assembled 4.88 million mobile handsets during the first five months (January-May) of 2023. This figure stands in stark contrast to the mere 0.41 million handsets that were commercially imported during the same period.

    For the month of May 2023, local manufacturing plants contributed 1.44 million mobile handsets, while commercial imports lagged behind at 0.11 million.

    However, it is worth noting that the local manufacturing industry experienced a decline in production during the calendar year 2022, manufacturing 21.94 million mobile handsets compared to the 24.66 million produced in 2021. This decline can be attributed to import issues caused by restrictions on the opening of letters of credit (LCs).

    Providing additional insight, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) disclosed that out of the 21.94 million mobile handsets assembled in 2022, only 1.53 million were commercially imported.

    Of the 4.88 million locally manufactured and assembled mobile handsets, 4 million were 2G phones, while 0.88 million were smartphones.

    Furthermore, the PTA data reveals that smartphones accounted for 56 per cent of the mobile devices used in Pakistan, while 44 per cent were 2G phones.

    Moving on to imports, Pakistan imported mobile phones valued at $516.488 million during the first 11 months (July-May) of the current fiscal year 2022-23, indicating a significant negative growth rate of 73.46 per cent compared to the $1.946 billion imported during the same period last year.

    In May 2023, the country experienced a remarkable 308 per cent month-on-month increase in mobile phone imports, reaching $43.201 million. This figure surpasses the $10.587 million worth of imports recorded in April 2023, as reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    When compared to May 2022, however, mobile phone imports in May 2023 exhibited a negative growth rate of 68.52 per cent, with the value dropping to $137.212 million.

    Taking a broader view of the telecom industry, overall imports into Pakistan amounted to $860.441 million during the July-May 2023 period. This marks a substantial negative growth rate of 66.87 per cent compared to the $2.597 billion recorded during the same period in the previous fiscal year.

  • Will Imran Khan be tried in military court? No decision yet, says Geo

    Will Imran Khan be tried in military court? No decision yet, says Geo

    No final decision has been taken yet on whether Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), will be tried under Army Act in military courts for the May 9 riots, geo.tv has reported.

    A report by Ansar Abbassi of The News says that while a well-connected source says that some federal ministers are convinced of Imran Khan being the mastermind of the May 9 attack on military and civilian installations, a final decision on taking him to military court is yet to be taken.

    The report states that there is a general consensus among civil and military authorities that Imran Khan plotted the May 9 mayhem, however, establishment has yet to directly name him.

    The former Prime Minister is nominated in at least six FIRs in police stations in Mianwali, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala related to May 9 attacks. He is expected to be named in more as rioters record statements with law-enforcing agencies and police gather more evidence.

    According to the numbers presented by the federal government in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, 102 civilians are awaiting trials in military courts. This number does not include any woman or minors.

  • ‘Second green revolution’ promised by PM Shehbaz through Green Pakistan Initiative 

    ‘Second green revolution’ promised by PM Shehbaz through Green Pakistan Initiative 

    After a series of moves aimed to protect Pakistan’s failing economy, including securing a crucial IMF deal, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has now set his sights on supporting what he calls the backbone of Pakistan’s economy: the agricultural sector.

    Through his Green Pakistan Initiative, inaugurated on Monday, July 10, PM Shehbaz says 4 million jobs will be created in the agricultural sector. He also said the Green Pakistan Initiative would likely attract $50 billion in investments in the next five years.

    According to PM Shehbaz, the newly inaugurated initiative is bound to propel Pakistan into its ‘second green revolution’. In fact, the initiative follows similar schemes as those present in Ayub Khan’s regime, such as incentivising farmers by providing them with more profits for their production and providing standard seeds and fertilizers to farmers, along with equipping them with the latest technology.

    It is true that Ayub Khan’s Green Revolution changed the economic fate of the adolescent country. And a revolution of sorts is very much needed: according to PM Shehbaz, state-owned agricultural enterprises are losing PKR 600 billion annually. He noted that Pakistan imports $4.5 billion worth of palm oil, a burden on the national economy.

    At the inauguration ceremony, PM Shehbaz said that gulf countries were ready to invest in the agriculture sector and export modern machinery to Pakistan, in order to boost the production of crops in the country.

    According to The News, PM Shehbaz stated, “It is [a] demand of our national security that the country’s food security and economic security should be strengthened.”

    The inaugural seminar was attended by federal ministers, provincial chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh, chief secretaries of provincial governments, agricultural experts, and farmers from all the provinces.

    Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir also attended the seminar as the guest of honour. He pledged the Pakistan Army’s full support for all the initiatives that fall under the Special Investment Facili­tation Council, one of which is the Green Pakistan Initiative.

    According to The News, agriculture experts and farmers highly appreciated the landmark initiative, praising the focus on promoting modern technology, the collaboration of public and private sectors, as well as trickling down dividends to local farmers in order to alleviate poverty.

  • Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan trade barbs on Twitter

    Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan trade barbs on Twitter

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Prime Minister Imran Khan engaged in a tweet spat on Twitter that started on Sunday.

    The exchange of barbs directed at each other started with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan responding to a tweet by Shehbaz Sharif where the Premier accused Khan of “using the proxies to threaten the Army Chief of an assassination attempt”.

    Hours later, Imran Khan responded by stating that the Prime Minister’s statement was “nonsensical”.

    He wrote, “You cannot fool anyone by making these nonsensical and ridiculous statements just to drive a wedge between Pakistan’s biggest political party and the establishment only so that you can save billions that you’ve stolen from the people of Pakistan.”

    Not to be outdone, Shehbaz replied to Imran Khan with yet another tweet on Monday night, calling the former Prime Minister someone “who lacks the courage to face courts on charges of corruption, pilfering and crimes against the nation.”

  • How much did Aqsa Afridi’s bridal outfit cost?

    How much did Aqsa Afridi’s bridal outfit cost?

    Former cricketer Shahid Afridi has shared photos of his eldest daughter Aqsa’s barat, writing a lovely note where he declared himself to be the first love of his daughter’s life, and yes we wailed at how moving it was.

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1677610611599876096?t=NbyDc8THDgBYE_Ox6P7JwQ&s=19

    But, since viewing the photos on Saturday, the question that has remained on everyone’s mind is how much did the gorgeous outfits cost.

    Aqsa wore a deep red shahrara with gold embroidery. According to Geo, the outfit was from the bridal collection of Republic Women’s Wear by Sana Sikandar Khan and had cost approximately Rs 750,000.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Cue4QXZMNwN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

    Makeup artist Furqan Sheikh shared a picture of Aqsa’s ocean blue valima gown, which reportedly came from the same brand and cost Rs 850,000.

    Shahid Afridi’s second daughter Ansha was married to fast bowler Shaheen Afridi in an intimate nikkah ceremony in February.

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1621757937600413699?t=3BByBQxHsibLkLfJphh5iA&s=19

    Obviously the main thing on everyone’s mind is how expensive the wedding clothes were! But it’s Shahid Afridi’s little princess, so she gets the world if she wants it!