Roads have been blocked in Islamabad and Lahore and Metro Bus service in Rawalpindi has been suspended because of the ongoing protests organised by the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) in these cities, reportedGeo News.
Islamabad Traffic Police have issued a traffic plan as the city braces to deal with TLP protests today (Friday). TLP’s protest is reportedly moving from Lahore to the federal capital for a long march.
Road Alert! In view of the upcoming protests, The district police is likely to block Road near Ravi Toll plaza & Faizpur interchange. We advice avoid travelling in the vicinity. We will update. Stay with us. Best regards NHMP.
— National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) (@NHMPofficial) October 22, 2021
Containers have been placed at various points in Lahore, including the Samanabad turn at Multan Road and at the Grid Station Stop. Containers have also been placed at the Dubai Chowk in Iqbal Town’s Boulevard area to stop protesters from assembling.
Earlier, the Ministry of Interior had written to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend internet services in Lahore due to TLP protests.
Strict security measures have been taken in Rawalpindi as authorities have blocked and placed containers on several roads.
A woman has reportedly been tortured and raped by a university student in the underpass of the Metro Bus Station in Rehmanabad, reports Dawn.
According to the Police Investigating Officer (IO), the suspect, identified as Talal Munir, is studying Information Technology (IT). He was arrested by the local police right after the First Information Report (FIR).
The survivor is a resident of Lahore. She complained to New Town police that she informed her brother about a job in a boys’ hostel, which was advertised on the Facebook account of the suspect.
According to her statement, her brother contacted the suspect. She then travelled to Rawalpindi with her aunt.
The victim said that upon reaching the location, the suspect forcibly took her to a boy’s dormitory, where he began slapping her and closed the door from inside. Later, she said she was taken to the underpass and raped.
Police said the victim was taken to a hospital for medical examination. However, a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test of both the victim and the suspect is yet to be conducted.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah was granted bail from the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan today (Thursday) in the assets beyond means case, reports Geo News.
The court has directed Shah to submit bail bonds worth Rs10 million as the surety against his bail and ordered that his name be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL).
Justice Umar Atta Bandial, who chaired the hearing of Shah’s bail plea, also directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to continue its investigations but not keep Shah permanently in jail.
In July, the Sindh High Court (SHC) dismissed Shah’s request for bail. Later, he challenged the local court’s decision in the apex court.
NAB had arrested Khursheed Shah on September 18, 2019, accusing him of allotting himself an amnesty plot illegally from a cooperative society in Sukkur.
NAB also accused Shah of acquiring assets worth some Rs700 million in the names of his frontmen through illegally acquired money.
The health authorities announced that another variant of the deadly Covid virus has reached Pakistan, reports Dawn.
Talking to the media outlet, Member Scientific Task Force on Covid-19 Dr Javed Akram said a fatal variant of the virus called ‘Epsilon’ had been detected in the country.
He confirmed that around 40 patients had contracted the variant so far, however, the figure is not accurate.
“This variant had originated in California, which was why it was called the California strain or B.1.429,” Dr Akram added.
“We need to understand that the virus has been controlled but not eradicated, therefore, there are chances of it bouncing back,” said Dr Akram.
Talking about the vaccines’ efficiency, Dr Akram, who is also the vice-chancellor of the University of Health Sciences (UHS), stated, “The positive side is that all vaccines are effective against Epsilon, therefore people should get immunised and adhere to the standard operating procedures.”
The Japanese government provided equipment worth 6.59 million dollars to Islamabad through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for enhancing Pakistan’s capacity for Covid vaccine storage.
According to the statistics shared by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 662 covid cases were recorded in the last 24 hours and the current positivity rate is 1.40 per cent.
Music Producer Rohail Hyatt shared a video on his Twitter account, continuing to defend his stance that being rich can be harder than being poor.
In the video, a beggar can be seen saying that he is happy because he has no stress or fear. He says, “Although the rich take pills, they can’t sleep peacefully at night because of the constant fear of being robbed at any time.”
Despite Hyatt’s continued defence of his opinion, Twitter criticised the music producer. Some of them even asked him to give them all of his money.
Rohail bhai As I offered before, I am willing to take away all your money related stress and you can transfer all your money/property to me I will make sure that you get a new kashkol, jutti and used kapray for your jogi lifestyle When should we meetup?
Getting ridiculous now. He’s interviewing people on the street as evidence to support his point that being rich can be more difficult than being poor https://t.co/wkmca1MMfa
I can think of one and that is to not put people on the spot with a unidirectional question. I’d rather ask “are you happy” and seek details if they say yes out of free will. It’s more priming than anything philosophical if the conversation actually started with this.
Previously, Hyatt while replying to a question on Twitter, said, “I can go on and on but I hope you get the drift. I’m not saying being poor isn’t hard, but being rich can be harder at times. Totally depends on the mindset of the person experiencing that state.”
I can go on and on but I hope you get the drift. I’m not saying being poor isn’t hard, but being rich can be harder at times. Totally depends on the mindset of the person experiencing that state..
His tweet made headlines and generated an online debate.
This is not the first time that Hyatt has faced criticism. Earlier, in April, he defended Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s rape apology and got into a heated debate with singer-turned-politician Jawad Ahmad.
The Punjab Home Department has asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend internet services in specific areas of Lahore.
As per the home department’s letter to the PTA, the instruction has been given in response to a protest oragnised by the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
The areas where internet services are being suspended are Samanabad, Sheerakot, Nawankot, Gulshan-e-Ravi, Sabzazar and Iqbal Town.
Governor State Bank of Pakistan, Reza Baqir, while talking to the media in the United Kingdom (UK) said that the increasing value of the dollar benefits overseas Pakistanis and we should not forget those who benefit from this increase.
“Rising dollar benefits some people and harms others. Overseas Pakistanis benefit because the money they send to their loved ones has more value. We should not forget those who benefit,” he said.
”ڈالر کی قیمت بڑھنے سے کچھ لوگوں کو فائدہ اور کچھ کو نقصان ہوتا ہے، اوورسیز پاکستانیوں کو فائدہ ہوتا ہے کیونکہ ان کے بھیجے پیسے انکے پیاروں کو زیادہ ملتے ہیں، جنہیں فائدہ ہوتا ہے ہمیں ان لوگوں کو نہیں بھولنا چاہئے“ گورنر اسٹیٹ بینک رضا باقر کی برطانیہ میں میڈیا سے گفتگو pic.twitter.com/KeSFY4cwCV
Twitter users were quick to react to his statement.
It’s sad how they try and tell us all the time that #Pakistan belongs more to those who left it than the ones who actually live here ♀️ https://t.co/SwXt5Tkop5
ok, then why dont you make 1 dollar equal to Rs 500 to make overseas happy? If that is true, why does not India decrease their Rupiah value against Dollar. There are 5 times more Indians in US than Pakistanis and Indians in USA would be happy.
بیرون ملک پاکستانیوں کے گھر والوں کوروپے کی قدر میں کمی کی وجہ سے جتنا اضافی پیسہ جاتا ہے اس سے کتنے گناہ زیادہ عام پاکستانیوں کی جیب سے مہنگائی کی صورت میں نکل جاتا ہے یہ بھی بتا دیں جناب معاشی ارسطو صاحب۔فائدہ اٹھانے والے کچھ لاکھ جبکہ نقصان برداشت کرنیوالے کروڑوں پاکستانی ہیں۔
— Better Pakistan – News and Views (@MBetterPakistan) October 21, 2021
بیرون ملک پاکستانیوں کے گھر والوں کوروپے کی قدر میں کمی کی وجہ سے جتنا اضافی پیسہ جاتا ہے اس سے کتنے گناہ زیادہ عام پاکستانیوں کی جیب سے مہنگائی کی صورت میں نکل جاتا ہے یہ بھی بتا دیں جناب معاشی ارسطو صاحب۔فائدہ اٹھانے والے کچھ لاکھ جبکہ نقصان برداشت کرنیوالے کروڑوں پاکستانی ہیں۔
— Better Pakistan – News and Views (@MBetterPakistan) October 21, 2021
According to the quarterly survey by Pulse Consultants, almost six out of 10 people have no confidence in Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s claim of coming out of the economic crisis, reports The News.
The survey is based on 1,809 respondents’ opinions who were interviewed from October 04, 2021 to October 10, 2021. It covered 60+ cities from all provinces of Pakistan.
According to the survey, the number of people losing faith in PM’s economic policies is around 57 per cent coupled with a drop in those who were confident that the prime minister will be able to turn the tide.
In July, 17 per cent respondents expressed confidence in PM’s policies, which in the current survey has dropped to seven percent. Regarding questions about the direction of the economic policies, 56 per cent respondents in July found them to be in the wrong direction, but three months later it has risen by 19 per cent to 77 per cent. On the contrary, those perceiving them to be on the right track have dropped to 24 per cent from 43 per cent in July.
Anxiety about the wrong direction is high is in the main political battleground provinces Punjab (79 percent) and Sindh (73 percent), as per the survey.
Since November 19, 2018 more than 95 per cent believe that inflation has increased after every three months.
Furthermore, the survey states that 68 per cent of people do not have savings and most of them have reduced their expenditures to make ends meet.
When the respondents were asked about the country’s major concern, 77 per cent complained about inflation whereas 35 per cent found corruption, 25 per cent unemployment, 11 per cent load shedding, while 10 per cent termed inability to meet expenses as their biggest problem.
The Pulse Consultant also asked the respondents about the performance of PM’s Adviser on Finance and Revenues, Shaukat Tarin, which showed that 53 per cent were dissatisfied with him.
The survey was conducted through CATI (Computer assisted telephonic interviews), a state-of-the-art technology where all calls are recorded.
The country is Heading Towards Wrong Economical Direction
Three amongst four Pakistanis believe that country is heading towards a wrong economic direction
In July 2021 there were 56% have that opinion but in October 2021 with an increase of 19%, 75% have that opinion
Anxiety about the wrong direction is high in Punjab (79%) & Sindh (73%) – the main political battleground followed by KP – PTI’s hometown (67%)
PM Claim About Restoration of Country Economic Outlook
In July 2021, 6 out of 10 respondents (62%) had overall belief on PM IK’s claim that “country is out of economic crisis”
Now in October 2021, wave condition is vice versa – almost 6 out of 10 (57%) have opposite opinion and have no belief in PM IK’s narrative (In July 38% had no believe now by the increase of 19% -57% have no belief)
Satisfaction with Shaukat Tarin
Dissatisfaction increased 15% (from 38% to 53%)
Satisfaction decreased 22% (from 35% to just 13%)
Inflation Trend
Almost every Pakistani hit by inflation and 98% are reporting that ‘Inflation increased in past three months’
Price Hike – Major Cause of Dissatisfaction
Like previous wave, in July Y2021 ‘Inflation’ is once again ranked as the gravest issue by (with the increase of 5%) 77% of the respondents.
If we read it with the answer “Expenses Not Meet” (اخراجات پورے نہیں ہوتے),of 10% – then it will reach to 87% – Ever highest in past three years
This is followed by & ‘Corruption’ (35%) & ‘Unemployment’ (25%), in this wave ‘Corruption’ – overtake the ‘Unemployment’
Expenses
We asked the same questions about “Monthly Expenses Management” back in July 2020, in July 2020, 41% had the opinion that – their monthly expenses are according to their income – but with the decline of 9% , now 32% have the same opinion
Jul-20 Oct-21Monthly Expenses Meet 41% 32%
Monthly Expenses Not Meet 59% 68%
Punjab & KPK – where #PTI is holding the provincial Govt. unrest increase significantly – specially in KP
If we compare the results of July 2020 & October 2021 (after 13 months) – Upper Socio Economic Class is also complaining that their monthly expenses are not meeting
Those who claimed that – their monthly income meet expenses – 31% amongst them claimed that they save any money
On the other hand – those who complained that their household expenses are not meet – 37% amongst them reduced their expenses, 30% borrow money and 30% do some extra job/work other than regular
Pakistan Navy has once again thwarted an attempt by an Indian submarine to enter into Pakistani waters.
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the incident took place on October 16, adding that the Indian naval submarine has been prematurely detected and tracked by the PN Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
“During the prevailing security milieu, a strict monitoring watch has been kept by Pakistan Navy to safeguard maritime frontiers of Pakistan,” says the ISPR statement.
The ISPR pointed out that this is the third incident of its kind wherein an Indian submarine has been “prematurely detected and tracked by PN Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft”.
“The recent incident reflects the deplorable Indian machinations vis-à-vis the commitment and resolve of the Pakistan Navy to defend maritime frontiers of the motherland,” said the ISPR.
‘Pakistan Navy with its unremitting vigilance and professional competence has once again detected and blocked the Indian submarine on 16 Oct 21 from entering into Pakistani waters.’ – ISPR pic.twitter.com/bA5HYiL5rN
According to sources, a meeting was held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan to review the rising inflation and the overall economic situation in the country. The impact of the rising prices of petroleum products was also discussed in the meeting.
During the meeting, PM Khan issued orders to the federal ministers to take steps for the implementation of Price Control Committees.
The premier also directed the ministers to keep an eye on the artificial price hike in their constituencies and to take strict measures against hoarders
Addressing a news conference on Monday, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said the government had decided to reduce GST rate and customs duty by half to 8.5 per cent and would abolish 2 per cent additional customs duty to cut cooking oil prices by Rs45 per kilo.
