Tag: Pakistan

  • ‘Traveller by Condè Nast’ ranks Pakistan as number one travel destination for 2020

    ‘Traveller by Condè Nast’ ranks Pakistan as number one travel destination for 2020

    One of the world’s best travel portals, Traveller by Condè Nast, has rated Pakistan as the number one holiday destination for 2020.

    The list is compiled by CN Traveller’s “well-travelled editors for the places they’re most excited about – in this instance not just for the next 12 months, but heading into a new decade.”

    According to the authors, Pakistan is “the adventure traveller’s must-visit” destination.

    Writing about the country, the award-winning magazine said, “Thwarted by tales of terrorism and Taliban rule, Pakistan’s tourism industry has been stymied for the past two decades. But ancient valleys, relaxed visa restrictions and a high-profile royal visit in the offing mean this remarkable country is finally getting the focus it deserves.”

    It further read, “Because this is a place of exquisite landscapes, where green spaces are overlooked by towering mountains. In fact, Pakistan has more peaks taller than 22,965ft than China and Nepal combined, making it an almost magnetic spot for adventure travellers and intrepid hikers.”

    “Visitors can follow in Michael Palin’s steps while traversing the 12,250ft Shandur Pass, home to the world’s highest polo field, or meet with the Kalash people of the Hindu Kush, famed for their cowrie-shell headdresses and brighter-than-bright embroidery. In Lahore, the sight of 100,000 worshippers crammed into the sandstone 17th-century Badshahi Mosque will leave you breathless, while Mughal-era architectural masterpieces stand resplendent on bustling street corners.”

    Founder and CEO of adventure-tour operator Wild Frontiers Jonny Bealby said that Pakistan’s improving tourism was because of “a focus on security measures and the election of Imran Khan, who has vowed to increase international tourist numbers.”

    Meanwhile, the royal visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has also boosted Pakistan’s image as a popular tourist destination.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the PTI government is making strong efforts to boost tourism in the country that will not only spread the soft image of Pakistan but also it will also bring the revenue into the country – the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor is proof of that.

    Other destinations that featured on the list include Kyoto (Japan), Rijeka (Croatia), Panam, Rabat (Morocco) British Virgin Islands, Frisian Islands, Denmark, Qingdao (China), Lebanon, Portland (Maine, US), Dakar (Senegal), Egadi Islands (Sicily), Paris (France), Siargao (Philippines), Galway (Ireland), Kangaroo Island (Australia), Salvador (Brazil), Armenia (Kyrgyzstan) and Plymouth (UK).

    Previously, UK publication The Independent also wrote that travel experts are recommending Pakistan as a must-visit destination for 2020.

    “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to Pakistan this autumn put the country back into the spotlight. Plus, it’s now easier to get there from London, thanks to new direct British Airways flights to Pakistan’s capital Islamabad,” read The Independent’s article.

  • World Bank to grant loan to Pakistan for Khyber Pass Economic Corridor

    World Bank to grant loan to Pakistan for Khyber Pass Economic Corridor

    The World Bank has allocated a loan of $406.6 million to Pakistan for the development of the Khyber Pass Economic Corridor (KPEC) Project.

    As per reports, Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar supervised the signing ceremony of the KPEC at the division.

    According to the Economic Affairs Division, the project will construct a 48 km long 4-Lane, dual high-speed carriageway from Peshawar to Torkham. This project will boost economic development and improve areas adjoining expressway falling in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

    The government is also planning to develop special economic zones around the corridor.

    The Khyber Pass has long been one of the most important trade routes and strategic military locations. Settled in the mountains, Khyber Pass divides Pakistan and Afghanistan forming the bridge between Central and South Asia.

  • Saudi royals unhappy with Imran; PM to visit Kingdom, clarify his position

    Saudi royals unhappy with Imran; PM to visit Kingdom, clarify his position

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will visit Saudi Arabia on Saturday after recent signals from Riyadh indicate that the kingdom’s leaders were not happy with Imran’s decision to attend Kuala Lumpur summit scheduled to be held in Malaysia later this month, Dawn reported.

    According to the details, PM Imran will reportedly reassure Saudi leadership that ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remain firm despite Islamabad’s engagement with other Muslim countries.

    The reports further reveal that Saudis are seeing the summit an an attempt by Malaysia to present an alternative to the Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as the progressively dysfunctional OIC works under the de-facto leadership of the Saudis.

    Other leaders which are participating in the summit include Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Iranian President Hasan Rouhani among others.

    Pakistan has expressed its keenness to attend the summit as the Foreign Office (FO) in its recent statement has said, “The KL summit would provide Pakistan with an opportunity to exchange views and find solutions to challenges facing the Muslim world, particularly the governance, development, terrorism and Islamophobia”.

    “The summit will also provide us an opportunity to foster cooperation in diverse areas with the participating countries”, the statement added.

    Meanwhile, FO spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal while responding to questions about PM Imran’s sudden visit to Saudi Arabia has said, “High-level political exchanges between the two countries are the hallmark of this brotherly bilateral relationship. You have witnessed the high frequency of leadership level exchanges, especially since last August”.

    Dr Faisal further said, “The PM has undertaken at least three visits to KSA since May this year. Any further information about any future visit will be shared accordingly.”

  • Switzerland decides to grant Pakistan access to bank data

    The Federal Assembly of Switzerland has approved granting Pakistan the access to its financial data, starting from 2021, The News has reported.

    As per the details, the Swiss parliament has approved a new batch of 18 countries for automatic exchange of financial information (AEOI), which would allow Pakistani authorities to learn how much money Pakistanis have in Switzerland.

    This means that Switzerland will provide details of bank accounts held by their citizens (or those with a fiscal residence in Switzerland). Meanwhile, in return, Switzerland will receive information on banking details of accounts held by Swiss citizens/residents in these partner countries.

    The 18 countries include Albania, Azerbaijan, Brunei, Dominica, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macau, Maldives, Nigeria, Niue, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Samoa, Saint Martin,Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu.

    Turkey was also up for consideration, but the Senate decided it was not yet ready for automatic exchange. The country’s recent incursion into Syria created doubts on its ability to guarantee data protection.

    Currently Switzerland receives financial data from 75 countries and shares data with 63 countries. This is because they did not either meet data security and confidentiality requirements (Belize, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Montserrat, Romania, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Cyprus) or chose not to receive Swiss data (Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands).

    Recently the Swiss authorities revealed that they had provided details of around 3.1 million bank accounts held by foreigners (or those with a fiscal residence abroad) to their countries of origin or residence. In return, it received information on banking details of around 2.4 million accounts held by Swiss citizens/residents in 75 partner countries.

  • Pakistan, Qatar agree to enhance bilateral trade volume

    In order to enhance bilateral trade, Pakistan and Qatar have agreed in principle on a preferential trade agreement (PTA) and a free trade agreement (FTA), The Express Tribune has reported, adding that the agreements would soon be signed after necessary formalities.

    Pakistan has also offered to establish a plant in Qatar to manufacture footballs for the FIFA World Cup 2022 as well as subsequent football tournaments.

    Nebras Power, a major investment group in Qatar’s energy sector, has expressed an interest in investing directly in Pakistan’s power sector.

    The Nebras Power Consortium will take part in the privatisation of the Haveli Bahadur Shah and Balloki power plants in Pakistan.

    It has formally informed the Pakistani government about its interest and hoped that it would promote direct cooperation between the two governments in the fields of energy and power generation.

    According to a document, Pakistan’s commerce and energy ministries attended the 5th Pak Qatar Joint Ministerial Commission meeting in Qatar last month.

    A copy of the minutes issued by the signatories of the two countries was sent to the respective ministries for implementation of the decisions made by the two countries.

    Pakistan has expressed an interest in exporting sports goods for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Qatar has welcomed Pakistan’s interest and said it would consider its goods on the basis of price and quality for the mega event.

    The document also read that the Pakistani government had fully endorsed a report sent by the Qatar government to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to recognise its products, including Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and natural gas, as ecofriendly.

    Qatar has also requested additional traffic rights to enhance aviation links with Pakistan. The two countries will consider the matter on a commercial basis.

    The two countries have agreed on an air service agreement in the near future to enhance bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Qatar in other areas of aviation and agreed to hold further meetings during the forthcoming air service talks scheduled to be held in Shi’ar Uqba, Jordan where further progress is expected in this regard.

    According to Qatar’s media, the two-way trade exchange between Qatar and Pakistan reached QR9.5 billion in 2018, witnessing an unprecedented 63pc growth as a result of better ties. The balance of trade is currently skewed in favour of Qatar due to the export of high-valued products to Pakistan. But the South Asian nation is also working aggressively to enhance collaboration in the field of manpower aiming to increase the flow of remittances, which will eventually make the economic relations more balanced.

  • Black Wednesday: PM appreciates Fayazul Hasan Chohan for his courage

    Black Wednesday: PM appreciates Fayazul Hasan Chohan for his courage

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has appreciated Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan for his courage as the latter expressed restraint over lawyers’ Wednesday ransacking of Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in Lahore, ARY News reported.

    According to reports, the premier, during a telephonic conversation, said that Chohan was an asset of the party and lauded his nerve for offering restraint during the violent protest. He said that miscreants wanted a Model Town-like carnage, but the provincial government of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had foiled their heinous designs.

    PM Imran vowed to expose the real characters behind the lawyers’ agitation and added that no one would be allowed to take law into their own hands.

    Earlier, Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda had also appreciated Chohan.

    “Well done Fayazul Hasan Chohan! Very graceful of you that you didn’t take any harsh action and avoided the inevitable despite how these hooligans maltreated you,” he tweeted.

    On Tuesday, Chohan was slapped and tortured by agitated lawyers as their protest against doctors turned violent. At least four patients lost their lives and hospital equipment worth millions was damaged.

    The provincial information minister, who had arrived at the scene to hold talks with the lawyers, was thrashed by the protesters who, according to Chohan, also “tried to kidnap him”.

  • Pakistan: Qatari royals among seven arrested for hunting without license

    Pakistan: Qatari royals among seven arrested for hunting without license

    Seven Qatari nationals, including four royals, have been arrested for attempting to hunt the houbara bustard in Nushki district of Balochistan without permission of the Foreign Office, a private media outlet reported.

    According to reports, the Qatari nationals were en route Nushki when they were intercepted and taken into custody on the Quetta-Nushki highway. Deputy Commissioner Abdul Razzaq Sasoli confirmed the arrest and stated that they were aiming to hunt without proper license.

    He added that the Qataris had been handed over to the wildlife department.

    The four royals have been identified as Sheikh Mohammad bin Mansoor Jasim, Sheikh Khalid bin Ali, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jasim and Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali Khalid.

    A case has been registered against the foreigners who were in the country on a three-month visa. They had been informed before that they would not be allowed to hunt if they did not possess a proper hunting license.

    According to the Wildlife Department, 100 houbara bustards can be hunted for a fee of $100,000.

  • Police releases plan for twin cities ahead of Pak- Sri Lanka Test series

    Police releases plan for twin cities ahead of Pak- Sri Lanka Test series

    The Sri Lankan cricket team has landed in Pakistan and the matches are scheduled from 11th to 15th December. Surely there will be strict security checks and also some traffic problems. Therefore, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, Hamza Shafqat, has shared the traffic plan for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match.

    The traffic plan, planned by
    Islamabad Traffic Police and City Traffic Police Rawalpindi, will be from 10th
    December to 15th December from 6 am to 6 pm.

    Murree Road will be blocked from
    Faizabad to 6th Road

    Stadium Road from IJP Road to Murree
    Road will also be blocked

    Ghousia Chowk turn towards Murree
    Road will be shut

    People would have to take alternate
    routes from Haroon Chowk and Dhoke Kala Khan Chowk towards Ghousia Chowk.

    Turns towards Murree Road on Islamabad highway – for traffic coming from Zero Point and Koral will be blocked.

    Rawalpindi to Islamabad:

    If you are entering Islamabad from
    Rawalpindi, these are the alternate routes.

    A U-turn in front of Kidney Center
    on Murree Road will be used to divert traffic towards Islamabad.

    Traffic from Sadiqabad will use
    Farooq-e-Azam Road/Kurri Road to merge onto the Islamabad motorway.

    Islamabad to Rawalpindi:

    For those coming to Rawalpindi from
    Islamabad, these are the alternate routes

    Traffic coming from Rawal Chowk will
    be averted to Islamabad motorway and they can enter Rawalpindi from the
    following points:

    Dhoke Kala Khan

    Khanna Pul

    Koral Chowk

    Traffic from IJP-9th Avenue Chowk
    will use Pindora Chungi, Katarian Market, Pirwadhai Mor, Carriage Factory and
    Pirwadhai to enter Rawalpindi

    The authorities have also advised
    the citizens to cooperate with the traffic police for uninterrupted traffic
    flow.

  • Pakistan falls at 152 on UNDP’s human development index 2019

    Pakistan falls at 152 on UNDP’s human development index 2019

    Pakistan remains among the medium human development countries with its position falling from 151 to 152, according to the 2019 Human Development Index (HDI) released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Geo News reported

    According to the details, the UNDP’s Human Development Report (HDR) –launched on Monday in Colombia — gave Pakistan a score of 0.560.

    The score puts the country as the second last country among the Medium Human development countries. Solomon Islands is the only country behind Pakistan in the category.

    The HDI classifications are based on HDI fixed cutoff points. Countries which are below the cutoff points of less than 0.550 are categorised as low human development, while medium human development are categorised within the range of 0.550–0.699. Scores of 0.700–0.799 is for high human development and 0.800 or greater for very high human development.

    As per data, Pakistan’s life expectancy stands at 67; while the expected years of schooling was at 8.5 years, with the mean years of schooling standing at 5.2 and the country’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita was $5,190.

    When the report was first published in 1990, Pakistan scored 0.404. The latest report gave the country a score of 0.560 which shows an overall increase in the score by 1.17%.

    However, the trend from 1990 till 2018 showed that Pakistan had steadily improved from being a low human development country to a medium development country.

    Speaking on the release of the report, Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan Ignacio Artaza has stated, “The HDR shows us that inequality is not ‘natural’ or inevitable. However, governments, civil societies, and ordinary citizens need to work together and translate words into concrete actions to ensure that people all over the world can live their lives to their fullest potential”.

  • Tourists from 50 countries can now avail visa on-arrival

    Tourists from 50 countries can now avail visa on-arrival

    To boost the tourism industry and foreign investment, the government has announced a new visa policy encouraging the tou­rists from 50 countries to avail visa-on-arrival facility.

    The visa-on-arrival facility was previously available to nationals of 25 countries only. As per reports, Sikhs holding Canadian and British passports would be allowed to avail of the offer and the e-visa facility will also be provided to the citizens of 175 countries.

    While talking to the media Vice Chairperson Overseas Pakistanis Commission Ch Waseem Akhtar said that the country is progressing due to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s “public-friendly economic policies” and that “major steps” are being taken to promote tourism.

    He added that the promotion of tourism is the need of the hour and the issuance of on-arrival visa to 50 countries by the government of Pakistan is a breakthrough and this will not only portray the soft image of Pakistan but will also bring foreign exchange and investment into the country.

    The plan to introduce on-arrival visa was first revealed in December 2018 by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood. The minister had stated that the government was considering initiating a visa-on-arrival facility for almost 55 countries to strengthen the tourism sector of Pakistan.