Tag: Pakistan

  • PM Shehbaz confident of positive outcome in IMF loan talks

    PM Shehbaz confident of positive outcome in IMF loan talks

    Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are on the verge of finalising a long-awaited loan deal, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In an interview with Turkish news agency, the premier expressed hope that the ninth review by the IMF would align with all the terms and conditions, leading to positive news this month.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan has diligently fulfilled each and every requirement set by the IMF as prior actions. The country’s commitment to meeting these obligations demonstrates its determination to address economic challenges head-on.

    However, in the event of the IMF talks falling through, the prime minister assured the nation that Pakistan possesses the resilience and fortitude to overcome any obstacles. He drew attention to the fact that the people of Pakistan have faced and triumphed over numerous challenges in the past. If necessary, they are prepared to tighten their belts and rise once again. Shehbaz Sharif credited the government’s ability to navigate these difficulties to the unwavering support of the Pakistani people and the assistance of brotherly and friendly nations.

    Highlighting the close bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkiye, the prime minister described them as “one soul, two hearts that beat together.” He took the opportunity to congratulate the people of Turkiye on President Erdogan’s re-election, considering it a “wonderful development.” The deep bond between the two nations sets the stage for enhanced cooperation in the near future.

    PM Shehbaz Sharif outlined plans for Pakistan and Turkiye to strengthen their collaboration, particularly in the areas of biogas, solar energy, and hydropower. By focusing on these sectors, both countries aim to bolster trade and achieve mutual growth. The emphasis on renewable energy sources aligns with the global trend towards sustainable development and underscores the commitment of Pakistan and Turkiye to fostering a greener future.

    As Pakistan and the IMF move closer to finalising the loan deal, there is renewed hope for the country’s economic stability and growth. The government’s determination to meet the IMF’s requirements and the unwavering support of the Pakistani people serve as strong foundations for overcoming challenges and securing a brighter future. Furthermore, the prospects for increased cooperation with Turkiye in key sectors pave the way for mutually beneficial partnerships and contribute to regional progress.

    With anticipation building, all eyes are now on the impending announcement that will mark a significant milestone in Pakistan’s economic journey. The successful conclusion of the loan deal will not only provide much-needed financial assistance but also serve as a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to reform and progress.

  • Where are former PTI members going?

    Where are former PTI members going?

    Following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9 in connection with a corruption case, the country saw violent protests as his supporters clashed with law-enforcement agencies. The protests also targeted state and military installations, which resulted in a severe crackdown on the party.

    Many prominent PTI leaders were arrested including Shireen Mazari, Fawad Chahudry, Asad Umar and Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
    The arrests and the criticism of the party led many PTI members to quit. Most of them left the party after holding press conferences or releasing video messages condemning the events of May 9. At least 100 Members of PTI have left the party.

    The member who have left the party are now joining new alliances and some are joining other parties.

    Democrats Group:
    This group is formed by Hashim Dogar and Murad Raas
    There are reports that this group has 35 former MPAs and MNAs

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Haqiqi:
    PTI haqiqi has been formed by Rao Yasir, who previously served as PTI Multan district Youth Wing president.

    What parties and already established groups are these members joining?

    Jahangir Khan Tareen group:
    There are reports of dissident PTI members joining Jahangir Khan Tareen group. Tareen used to be a close aide of PTI chief Imran Khan.

    PML-Q Group
    Many including Ayesha Gulalai have decided to join the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q).

  • Fact Check: Has US issued any travel advisory for citizens travelling to Pakistan?

    Fact Check: Has US issued any travel advisory for citizens travelling to Pakistan?

    Claim: A travelling advisory issued by the United States State Department for its citizens who are travelling to Pakistan, has been circulating on social media.

    “If you are traveling to Pakistan from the USA, Canada you should not use NICOP. Instead get a Pakistani visa on USA / Canadian passport.

    Anyone entering Pakistan with a USA / Canadian passport will legally be considered a USA / Canadian citizen and will be entered into Pakistani Immigration Official Records as a USA / Canadian Citizen. He or she will be entitled to all the benefits and facilities available for USA / Canadian citizens”

    The advisory further read:
    Here are some additional tips for staying safe while traveling to Pakistan:
    Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of potential threats.
    Avoid travel to areas that are known to be dangerous: The State Department has a website that lists dangerous areas. You can check this website before you travel to Pakistan.

    Be careful about what you say and do: Be careful about what you say and do in public. Avoid discussing sensitive topics, such as politics or religion.
    Be aware of the local customs: Be respectful of the local customs and traditions.

    Carry a copy of your passport and visa: Carry a copy of your passport and visa with you at all times.

    Stay in touch with your family and friends: Let your family and friends know where you are going and when you expect to return.
    By following these tips, you can help to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable trip to Pakistan.

    Fact:
    The US State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) in Pakistan has clarified that the advisory is fake.
    https://twitter.com/State_SCA/status/1665127708957761538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1665127708957761538%7Ctwgr%5E8dc4e19d6d19e00887a321029e53f7ad8ae48414%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthecurrent.pk%2F%3Fp%3D225138

    Verdict: The claim is false.

  • Exclusive: Transgender activist Shahzadi Rai discusses inclusive education policy initiated by Sindh Govt

    Exclusive: Transgender activist Shahzadi Rai discusses inclusive education policy initiated by Sindh Govt

    Transgender activist Shahzadi Rai took to social media to announce that she was collaborating with Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah to work on the first ever transgender inclusive education policy, which will allow more members of the khwaja sira community to enroll into schools and continue to pursue higher education through scholarship programs set up by universities.

    Speaking to The Current, Rai, who is working as a Violence Case Manager for Gender Alliance Initiative, spoke about the importance of the policy, which is a step forward in helping transgender individuals pursue their academic dreams and help in empowering their community:

    “Through this policy, we aim to help members of the Khwaja Sira community pursue higher education, especially those who can read and write but could not study in schools. When we had our meeting to discuss this policy, one of the first things we talked about was setting up a scholarship program for the transgender community in universities. So that more transgender people can study ahead.”

    We also talked about how this policy will help in setting up more safe and inclusive environments for transgender individuals:

    “We had also discussed setting up more safer environments within schools for transgender people. We are forming up a draft of the things we want. Although it won’t be a part of this policy that we are drafting, but ahead in the future we will start including books with chapters that will discuss the history of the transgender community.

    In this policy, we have ensured that it is strictly forbidden that no teacher can misbehave with a transgender student. Our biggest concern is to ensure that teacher’s are trans-friendly.”

    Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah was seen speaking on the importance of the education policy at the Sindh Assembly, highlighting the importance of such a step which will help members of the transgender community become equal members of our society by providing them fair education policies.

  • ‘People deserve to dream dreams’: Twitter users support Pakistani student crowdfunding for New York film degree

    ‘People deserve to dream dreams’: Twitter users support Pakistani student crowdfunding for New York film degree

    A twitter user named Abdullah Shahid took to Twitter to crowdfund for his Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) degree at New York University.

    “Hello friends, after much deliberation, I’ve decided to try and crowdfund for the degree. I’ve made a GoFundMe and an IndieGogo (for people in Pakistan who might want to donate) and would really appreciate retweets and sharing w people! Thank you all,” he wrote in a tweet.

    “My name is Abdullah and I was recently accepted into the prestigious New York University’s Grad Film MFA program. Something that I would not have thought possible in my wildest dreams but I need your help to make this dream into a reality,” his Go Fund Me me introduction read.
    He has set a goal of collecting $51,500 on Go Fund Me.

    Many twitter users criticised him for raising funds for a film degree. However, Abdullah got more supporters than critics, receiving positive feedback from scores of people.

    Have a look at Twitter reactions.

    https://twitter.com/yourdoriangray/status/1665265563277426691

  • ‘An extraordinary friend’: Fashion industry devastated after death of ‘Nickie Nina’ designer Aliya Nazir

    ‘An extraordinary friend’: Fashion industry devastated after death of ‘Nickie Nina’ designer Aliya Nazir

    Aliya Nazir, one half the successful fashion duo behind designer brand ‘Nickie Nina’, passed away on Sunday, media outlets reported.

    Publisher and Editor of Diva Magazine Rahael Rao broke the news on social media, calling the death ‘devastating’ and remembering the Pakistani fashion giant as an ‘extraordinary friend’.

    “I woke up this morning to the heartbreaking news of the passing of my dear old friend, #NickieNazir, from @nickieninaofficial. Nickie was not only warm and gracious but also an extraordinary friend to have. The memories we shared together are invaluable, and the void left by their absence will be deeply felt. Nickie, your presence will be dearly missed, and the impact you made on our lives will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, dear friend.”

    Soon, models and actors in the entertainment industry came forward to offer condolences and remember the late fashion designer. Actress Sajal Aly, Areeba Habib and Sami Khan were among them.

    Model Mushk Kaleem was among the celebrities who sent their condolences, calling this “incredibly sad”.

    Actress and singer Hadiqa Kiani sent her condolences to the late designer’s family.

    VJ and actress Anoushay Ashraf remembered the late designer as a humorous and smiling person:

    “Rest in peace beautiful Nickie. Today, I choose to celebrate your short but wholesome life. You lived so much more than so many.
    Forever in our hearts. Smiling, humorous and beautiful. To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. Wrapped in His eternal love and endless bounty, you’re home.”

    Ushna Shah remembered the “Nickie Nina’ designer as a warm and kind person:

    “This is so heartbreaking. She was such a warm and kind person. So beautiful, so graceful, so witty and so full of life. Inalilahewainaelerajiun- what terrible terrible news.”

    Actress and former model Frieha Altaf mourned her late friend by sharing some past pictures with Nazir on vacation, and also sent love to her family.

  • ‘Imran Khan deliberately disinforming local & foreign audiences with fake news’: Shehbaz Sharif

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has said in a tweet on Monday that Imran Khan openly and deliberately misinforms local and foreign audiences with fake news.

    “In his interviews with international media outlets, Imran Niazi is openly and deliberately disinforming local & foreign audiences by glib talk laced with fake news & plain misrepresentation.” wrote PM.

    “His expedient description of the post-May 9 events as ‘human rights abuses’ & ‘stifling of the right to political protest’ is not only misleading but aimed at manipulating and swaying opinion-makers outside the country,” he added.
    The PM further wrote that what PTI did on May 9 was “a brazen attack on the State of Pakistan, with malafide intent and sinister objectives.”

    “No country in the world would tolerate such an attempt at destroying its integrity. I assure everyone that the culprits are being dealt with under the law & that I will ensure that no rights violations take place. Every case will be dealt with due process under the law. Pakistan fully respects & is committed to all its constitutional and international obligations on human rights.”

    The tweet comes after Imran Khan said in an interview with Reuters on Saturday that he tried to contact the military for talks but got no response. He further said that he did not know why Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir is ‘fixated’ on sidelining him.

  • Not in contact with Tareen, Fawad stays in touch: Asad Umar

    Former Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Asad Umar has said that he has no contact with Jahangir Tareen but does stay in contact with former colleague Fawad Chaudhry.

    Talking to journalists outside a court in Islamabad, Asad Umar said that Tareen, who is rumoured to be forming a political party, has not contacted him.

    However, he did say that Fawad Chaudhry “remains in touch with me from time to time.”

    Asad Umar is one of the few central leaders who have not quit PTI. But, on May 24, he did resign from his post and from the core committee of the party.

  • May 9 targets were pre-determined, strong evidence against PTI leaders: IG Punjab

    May 9 targets were pre-determined, strong evidence against PTI leaders: IG Punjab

    The Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab, Dr Usman Anwar, said in a press conference on Sunday that the police have data of the calls of March 8 and 9 May, adding that the call data shows similarities between both events, helping police in arresting those responsible for the riots.

    PTI claimed that Ali Bilal (Zillay Shah) died during police custody when he was captured during a crackdown on party workers and supporters protesting near Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence on March 8.

    “We have records of each call made during these incidents and we are presenting them as evidence in court,” he added.

    He further said that law enforcement agencies had solid evidence that PTI leaders, in­cluding Dr. Yasmin Rashid, were in­volved in May 9 attacks and the tar­gets were pre-determined. “The May 9 incidents were carried out at a specific time as planned, the targets for the attacks were pre-determined”.

    While denying the accusations of PTI women being mistreated in jail, the IG said, “only lady police officers had interrogated women in custody.”

  • ‘Polls in October’; Khwaja Asif rules out delay in general elections

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has rejected any possibility of a delay in general elections, stating that polls will be held in October.

    “The assemblies will complete their five-year term in August and polls will take place within the next 60 days. Elections will be held on time,” Asif said on Sunday while talking to The Express Tribune.

    When asked what he meant by “on time”, the minister clarified that he meant October.

    The federal government is readying up to present the budget for the next fiscal year, scheduled to be tabled on June 9 before the National Assembly.