Tag: Travel Ban

  • Mazay Khatam; No more 1st class for PM and five-star hotels for ministers 

    Mazay Khatam; No more 1st class for PM and five-star hotels for ministers 

    In a bid to curb expenses, the federal government has rolled out a stringent travel advisory affecting top-tier officials, including the president, prime minister, chief justice, services chiefs, and bureaucrats. 

    Effective immediately, the advisory mandates specific classes for air travel, categorizing officials based on their positions.

    Cabinet Division said the president and the CJP will travel in ‘class-1’, whereas the PM, Senate chairman, National Assembly speaker, ministers, services chiefs, MNAs, federal secretaries, grade-22 officers, and ambassadors will travel in business class.

    Other officers of the federal government, attached departments, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, and other institutions under the administrative control of various ministries/divisions will travel in economy class.

    Obligatory Visits Only

    According to the advisory, foreign travel of officers shall be allowed only in cases of obligatory visits and that too in the economy class.

    This move comes as part of a new foreign travel policy aiming to rationalize overseas visits, instill austerity measures, and enforce accountability.

    Key provisions of the policy include obtaining permission from an austerity committee for non-essential visits, providing comprehensive travel details to the Foreign Ministry, and a ban on simultaneous foreign trips by ministers and secretaries unless under unavoidable circumstances approved by the prime minister.

    No Five Star Hotels

    Additionally, the policy discourages stays in five-star hotels, prohibits support staff from accompanying government officers, and encourages teleconferencing as a viable alternative. Ministers, ministers of state, advisers, and assistants are limited to three foreign visits per year, with exceptions granted in special cases.

    Furthermore, ministers are prohibited from traveling during National Assembly or Senate sessions, and all foreign visit details must be submitted to the Foreign Ministry within 15 days.

    The guidelines also address diplomatic relations, mandating adherence to the ‘One China Policy’ for interactions with Taiwan and requiring special permission for contacts with Korea. Visiting India necessitates permission from the interior and foreign ministries.

    Lastly, hosting foreign companies is discouraged, and visits by experts and consultants are permitted only during bilateral discussions.

  • UN chief condemns travel restrictions, calls it ‘travel apartheid’

    UN chief condemns travel restrictions, calls it ‘travel apartheid’

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday that a travel ban imposed because of the Covid pandemic that cuts off any one country or region as “not only deeply unfair and punitive – they are ineffective.”, report Geo News.

    Guterres said that tests should continually be performed on travelers to reduce the threat of transmission in other parts of the world.

    He further added, “We have the instruments to have safe travel. Let’s use those instruments to avoid this kind, of allow me to say, travel apartheid, which I think is unacceptable.”

    The new variant of the coronavirus, which was previously identified as B.1.1.529 infection was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from South Africa on November 24 and named it Omicron.

    Several countries, including Pakistan, have completely banned flights from some countries in Africa.

    In African countries, the rate of vaccination was recorded as very low which Guterres has previously alarmed the world about. The main reason for the lack of vaccination was the inequality distribution of vaccines and low immunisation rates which became “a breeding ground for variants.”

    The annual meeting was also held between the United Nation and African Union to solve the concern of the travel ban.

    Speaking from the Joint-Conference with UN Secretary-General, African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat also said that the travel ban cannot be justified.

  • Pakistan’s bowling consultant Philander to leave amid Omicron fears

    Pakistan’s bowling consultant Philander to leave amid Omicron fears

    Pakistan cricket team’s bowling consultant, South African Vernon Philander is set to leave the Pakistan team midway through the on-going Test against Bangladesh after suspension of flight operations in South Africa amid the spread of new coronavirus variant, Omicron.

    According to reports, Philander will leave Bangladesh for South Africa between Monday and Tuesday night.

    It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan team is currently playing a two-match Test series against Bangladesh and initially Vernon Philander was scheduled to leave Dhaka for Cape Town on December 1 after the first Test.

    However, due to the suspension of flight operations in South Africa amid the spread of the new variant, he will be separated from the Pakistani squad today.

    It may be recalled that in view of the spread of coronavirus variant, Omicron, Pakistan imposed travel bans on six African countries, including South Africa.

    The United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and the European Union have also imposed travel bans on African countries over the threat of a new Corona variant.

    Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Liton Das digged in and helped the side to take the lead of 159 runs before lunch. Both teams are trying to win the first Test. Pakistan needs four wickets, while Bangladesh is trying to set a bigger total to defeat the visitors.

  • Risk of New Variant Omicron, Pakistan imposes travel ban

    Risk of New Variant Omicron, Pakistan imposes travel ban

    The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has imposed a complete travel ban from red zone African countries and Hong Kong on Saturday evening after the emergence of a new Covid variant, Omicron.

    NCOC tweeted the notification in which six South African countries and Hong Kong are included in category C due to Omicron.

    A complete ban has been imposed on every direct and indirect flight with immediate effect.

    Earlier, the United Kingdom (UK) already imposed the travel ban from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini unless travellers are the UK or Irish nationals.

    Head of NCOC, Asad Umar took to Twitter to urge the people of Pakistan how important it is to get vaccinated.

     

  • Deadly Omicron-new variant of Covid, raises alarm

    The new variant of the coronavirus was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from South Africa on November 24. It was declared a new variant “of concern” and named it Omicron, reports the BBC.

    On Friday, this variant was identified as the B.1.1.529 infection which was collected from a specimen on November 9. The cases in the majority of the provinces of South Africa were found to be increasing drastically. Only 24 per cent of the population of South Africa received the vaccination. The situation in the southern Africa region is alarming as the new variant, Omicron also emerged in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong, and Israel.
    “This variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage,” the WHO said in a statement.

    Several countries banned or restricted travel to and from southern Africa including Australia, Japan, India, Iran, and Brazil. United Kingdom (UK) also restricted travelers from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini unless they are UK or Irish nationals.

    Experts also claimed that it is too early to confirm the impact of the variant on vaccinated people and the rate of transmission.

    United States of America (USA) Infectious Disease Chief Dr Anthony Fauci said, “Until it’s properly tested. We don’t know whether or not it evades the antibodies that protect you against the virus.”

  • Pakistan on UK Red List because of Nawaz Sharif, says PTI’s Ali Nawaz Awan

    Pakistan on UK Red List because of Nawaz Sharif, says PTI’s Ali Nawaz Awan

    Speaking to anchorperson Gharidah Farooqi on ‘G For Gharidah’, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Special Assistant on Capital Development Authority (CDA), Ali Nawaz Awan, said: “Pakistan is on United Kingdom’s (UK) Red List because of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif.”

    Awan said that despite providing all the data and information required by the UK, Pakistan suffered due to Nawaz.

    Awan said that the government was very hopeful that Pakistan would be taken to the amber list but then thrice elected former prime minister Nawaz Sharif attached his fake medical reports along with his extended stay application. Hence the UK decided that if a three-time prime minister can lie, they cannot trust Pakistan and have thus kept us on hold.

    Awan’s argument left the panel laughing. Anchorperson Gharida Farooqi asked Awan as to what connection did the former prime minister’s health have with Pakistan staying on the Red List.

    Awan stressed again that the UK is looking at the fake reports submitted by Nawaz Sharif.

  • Pakistan to remain on UK’s travel Red list

    Pakistan to remain on UK’s travel Red list

    The United Kingdom (UK) has not moved Pakistan from its Red List to Amber List. Pakistan is still on its Red List of the travel ban, the UK announced in its latest travel review on Thursday.

    As per reports, Pakistan has been kept on the Red List for “failing to meet the requirements on genomic surveillance capability, transmission risk, and variants of concern.”

    Genome sequence helps researchers understand how the virus is mutating into variants and how it’s traveling from person to person.

    Government officials of Pakistan were hopeful that Pakistan will be moved to the Amber List in the latest review.

    According to the latest update, seven countries, namely, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Switzerland, and the Azores will move into the Green List starting 4am on Monday, August 30.

    Thailand and Montenegro, on the other hand, will be added to the Red List at the same time, “reflecting the increased case rates in these countries and the higher risk that travel from these countries poses to UK public health”, said the notice.

    Earlier, the UK was criticised for removing India from Red List despite the worse Covid-19 situation than Pakistan.

    However, the British government claimed that the Pakistan authorities did not send them the Covid-19 data on vaccination and testing.

  • Bangladesh drops ‘except Israel’ from passports

    Bangladesh drops ‘except Israel’ from passports

    The Bangladeshi passport had a note written on it that said it was acceptable for travel to all countries of the world except Israel.

    But a few months ago, Bangladesh dropped the words “except Israel” from the new electronic passports.

    Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen confirmed the country’s support for the struggle of Palestinians and condemned the Israeli aggression against civilians.

    Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said the words “except Israel” have been withdrawn from the passports for “administrative convenience”.

    “This move will not affect our position . We are strong supporters of Palestine,” said Momen.

    Gilad Cohen, the Israeli foreign ministry’s deputy director-general for Asia and the Pacific, said on Twitter: “Great news! #Bangladesh has removed travel ban to Israel. This is a welcome step.”

    The Bangladeshi foreign ministry statement, however, clarified that the removal of the observation has been done to maintain global standards.

    “The ban on travel of Bangladeshi passport holders to Israel remains unchanged. The Government of Bangladesh has not deviated from its position on Israel and Bangladesh remains firm on its long-standing position in this regard,” it added.

  • FIA bars Shehbaz from leaving the country

    FIA bars Shehbaz from leaving the country

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif was stopped by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from leaving the country earlier today. According to the FIA, Sharif’s name is on the Person-Not-In-List (PNIL), which means that persons who are not on Exit Control List (ECL) or on black list can be stopped through PNIL. On Friday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) said Shehbaz has “one time” permission to fly abroad for medical treatment. Sharif was all set to take a flight to London but the FIA stopped him at immigration at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore.

    Talking to The Current, PML-N leader Attaullah Tarar said that this is a blatant violation of court orders despite FIA officials being present in court. “Such pettiness on behalf of the government has only exposed their nefarious designs.” Tarar, who is also part of the legal team in Sharif’s case, said that if this delay gives the prime minister satisfaction for a few days, “let him be happy”.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that Director General (DG) FIA has the authority to remove a name from a black list. “Shehbaz Sharif’s lawyers have not submitted any application to DG FIA to remove his [Sharif’s] name from the blacklist.” Chaudhry added that communicating something verbally does not mean there will be any change in the record. “The government will move the court against this decision.”

    Talking to the media, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the FIA has added Sharif’s name in another list. She said that despite written order by the LHC, stopping Shehbaz Sharif from travelling is tantamount to contempt of court. Marriyum Aurangzeb added that now we are being told by the FIA that the system has not been updated even though there were two FIA officials present in court when the LHC granted Sharif permission to travel abroad.

  • ‘Blood on your hands’: Michael Slater slams Australian PM

    ‘Blood on your hands’: Michael Slater slams Australian PM

    Former cricketer Michael Slater, who is currently part of the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) commentary panel, has slammed his country’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison for not allowing its citizens to return from COVID-19 hit India, calling the travel ban a “disgrace”.

    Australia has shut its borders and is not allowing any commercial flights from India because of the massive COVID-19 surge which has left players, support staff and commentators, who might have wanted to leave the IPL in a fix.

    Meanwhile, the Indian government has made it clear that Australians who are engaged in the IPL will have to make their own arrangements.

    “If our government cared for the safety of Aussies they would allow us to get home. It’s a disgrace,” wrote Slater on social media. “Blood on your hands PM. How dare you treat us like this. How about you sort out [a] quarantine system.”

    “I had government permission to work on the IPL but I now have government neglect,” he added.

    The former cricketer further said: “And for those who think this is a money exercise. Well, forget it. This is what I do for a living and I have not made a penny having left early.”

    “So please stop the abuse and think of the thousands dying in India each day. It’s called empathy. If only our government had some,” he remarked.

    Threatening a five-year jail term or a hefty fine, the Australian government temporarily barred its citizens from entering the country if they happened to be in India within 14 days of their intended arrival.

    The decision was announced after a meeting of the National Cabinet last Friday and came into force from Monday.

    The move aims at keeping the COVID-19 spread in check in Australia as India is facing a surge in cases.

    The decision was also based on the proportion of overseas travellers in quarantine in Australia, who have contracted the infection in India, according to Health Minister Greg Hunt.

    Three Australian players left the IPL before the travel ban came into force. The ban is due to end on May 15.

    Meanwhile, as many as 14 Australian players are playing in IPL.

    The competition has also been heavily hit by the virus. Earlier, Monday’s match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) was suspended after KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier tested positive for coronavirus. Three members of the Chennai Super Kings’ IPL contingent – chief executive officer K Viswanathan, bowling coach L Balaji and a bus cleaner – have also tested positive for the virus.

    Furthermore, five Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) ground staff have tested positive. DDCA will be hosting IPL 2021 matches until May 8.