Download the De - Govt Removes Hbaz, Along with His Gillani in the PDM

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Download the De - Govt Removes Hbaz, Along with His Gillani in the PDM VOLUME 16 | N o 87 Lahore Regd No. CPI 251 LAHORE 6P3 INTERNATIONAL 6P7 Expats assets, The Biden invites ambassadors 40 world of our country, leaders to says Sarwar An English Daily published simultaneously from Lahore and Faisalabad climate summit, including Lee PAGES 08 | R s 15 Buwww.thesbusineiss.cnom.pk esSs haban 14 1442 Sunday, March 28 , 2021 Punjab hints Pak, India mily officials review at complete ceasefire accord lockdown The Business Report LAHORE: Keeping in the people. It is commend - view the surge in coron - able that the PPP has can - ISLAMABAD: With an aim to restore avirus cases in Punjab, the celed the rally due to peace at the LoC, an important meeting of provincial government has increasing Coronavirus Pakistan-India brigade commanders was hinted at a complete lock - cases, she said. Talking held at the Rawalakot-Poonch crossing down, which will be decided about politics, the SACM point, The News reported on Saturday. in the NCOC meeting. said that the politics of The meeting was a follow-up to the un - Talking to media, Dr PPP has been linked with derstanding reached between Directors Firdous Ashiq Awan, Spe - opposition to the royal General Military Operations (DGMOs) of cial Assistant to Punjab family since day one. the two countries last month. The agenda of Chief Minister Sardar Lahore hospitals the meeting was to discuss the implementa - Usman Buzdar, said that running out of beds tion of the decision taken by the DGMOs to the smart lockdown im - Public sector hospitals observe ceasefire at the LoC and other sec - posed by the government in Lahore are rapidly run - tors with effect from midnight of February was not being taken seri - ning out of beds after the 24 and 25. The DGMOs had reiterated that ously by the people, after recent spike in COVID-19 the mechanism of hotline and flag meetings which complete lockdown cases in the city. will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen will be the only solution. Around 11 percent of situation or misunderstanding. The final decision will ventilators are currently Both sides agreed on strict observance of be taken at the NCOC available for new COVID- ISLAMABAD: First Lady Samina Arif Alvi cuts the cake along with others during ceremony in all agreements, understandings, and cease - meeting, she said. She said 19 pettiest in the govt hos - connection with the Nowruz celebrations. fire along LoC and all other sectors. that if the citizens do not pitals in the city. 164 The mechanism of military contacts be - follow SOPs then govern - ventilators were allocated g tween Pakistan and India had existed since ment will have to take for COVID-19 patients in 20 teams formed to launch massive crackdown against mafia 1987 while the two neighbouring countries strong measure to curb the the hospitals and most of also reached an understanding on the spread of Coronavirus. them were currently occu - ceasefire in 2003. “The two countries now Firdous Ashiq Awan pied by the patients. 34pc of have agreed to strictly observe ceasefire said that it is our constitu - oxygen beds were currently agreement of 2003 in letter and spirit and tional and legal responsi - available for new patients make the same as sustainable,” ISPR chief bility to protect the lives of in the hospitals. —TLTP FIA freezes over 100 Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar had said. Report of deptts 100 pc raise in sugar mafia accounts Naya Pakistan in Balochistan From Our Staff Correspondent sugar mafia had hundreds of fake bank ment plants in Mianwali, DG Khan and accounts to conceal the money earned Khushab was also approved in the meet - Housing loan The Federal Investi - through illegal means, sources said. ing. Billions of rupees are expected to be ISLAMABAD: ISLAMABAD: The loan limit under gation Agency (FIA) has frozen over presented to PM Under the order, the sale and purchase of invested in cement plant projects which Naya Pakistan Housing programme has 100 fake and benami bank accounts of sugar system would be regulated. will result in creating thousands of jobs ISLAMABAD: The fice in a letter warned of been enhanced one hundred percent to 10 40 key figures of sugar mafia, on Satur - The Cabinet of the Punjab govern - to the citizens. The meeting also ap - Prime Minister's Perform - strict action against offi - million rupees, Faisal Javed said. day. ment has approved Punjab Sugar Sup - proved waiver of Abiana (water rate), ance Delivery Unit has cers not attending meetings In his tweet, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf According to details, the FIA has ply Chain Management Order 2021 to agriculture tax and other arrears for cul - presented performance re - related to public welfare. (PTI) leader Faisal Javed said the mark up launched an investigation against the tighten the noose on the sugar cartel. tivators facing drought in tehsil Noorpur port of federal depart - According to the report, rate has been reduced to three percent and ments in Balochistan to the dashboards of officers sugar cartel over fraud of Rs110 billion. Under the order, the sale and pur - Thal of Khushab district and 75 mauzas The mafia earned the money through chase of the sugar system would be reg - have been declared calamity-hit areas. five percent. The PTI leader said Prime the Prime Minister. of 17 federal departments Minister Imran Khan is personally monitor - satta on the sugar. The FIA has formed ulated. The godowns of sugar mills and Punjab Govt action against According to the Prime in Balochistan were re - ing this revolutionary program. —DNA Minister Office, the report viewed. The federal depart - 20 teams to launch a massive crack - dealers would be registered and only sugar mafia lauded was related to resolution of ments in Balochistan down against the sugar mafia. The registered dealers would be allowed to Former President ICCI Shahid complaints of people of received more than 11000 agency has recovered evidence from sell or purchase sugar. According to the Rasheed Butt on Sunday lauded the Balochistan, filed at Pak - public complaints, 90pc of seized 32 mobile phones and laptops. Management Order, in case of shortage move of the Punjab Government to frus - Next Indo-Pak istan Citizens Portal. them were resolved. Thirty According to sources, the sugar mafia of sugar, the cane commissioner and trate the unholy designs of sugar mills The Governor Balochis - seven percent of the public increased the price of sugar through deputy commissioners will have full au - mafia to create an artificial shortage of speculation (Satta Bazi) and creating ar - water talks tan who sent the perform - expressed satisfaction on thority to sell sugar. In case of deple - sweetener for excessive profits. tificial shortage of sugar in the country. tion of stock, the Deputy Other provinces should also follow ance report of federal the way issues were settled. Sources said that the speculation Commissioners will have to be in - the suit to provide relief to people and in Islamabad departments had com - PM Office to observe (Satta Bazi) is being supported by all formed. Factories will not be able to save them from mafia in the holy plained that senior officers LAHORE: The next session of water Earth Hour major sugar groups of the country in - sell sugar to unregistered dealers, month of Ramadan. The sugar mills were not attending meet - On the instructions of talks between Pakistan and India will be cluding Tareen and Sharif, Hamza, Thal wholesalers and brokers. mafia had created an artificial shortage held in Islamabad. ings. The prime minister PM Imran Khan, the lights and alliance groups. The sugar mafia Furthermore, Approval was also ac - by suspending the supply of sugar in while expressing dismay of Prime Minister Office Syed Mehar Ali Shah, Pakistan’s Com - hiked the commodity’s ex-mill price corded to the Prevention of Speculation many cities since last ten days in Pun - missioner for Indus Waters, who led Pak - after receiving complaint of will be switched off on Sat - from Rs 70 per kilogram to Rs 90 during in Essential Commodities Ordinance jab and now the stock with wholesalers the Governor Balochistan, urday for an hour to ob - istani delegation in recent talks in New the past year and earned over Rs 110 bil - 2021 under which tariff of essential items had almost ended putting upward pres - Delhi, has said that the talks on water is - directed the senior officials serve Earth Hour. In his lion through satta, the sources added. would be controlled. It was also decided sure on prices, he said. of the federal departments remarks, the PM said that sues will continue in future. The mafia was involved in creating ar - to import 200000 metric tonnes of sugar Shahid Rasheed Butt said that the in - After returning from India via Wagah to attend meetings. improving environment was tificial shortage of the essential item and to sustain its prices in the province. creasing demand and supply gap has The Prime Minister Of - the top priority. —APP border crossing, Shah stated that Pakistan raising the rates of the commodity. The Moreover, installation of four new ce - not only increased prices but also side reiterated its objections to the Indian water projects in the talks with Indian dele - gation. “Indian officials assured to review Shehbaz tells the river projects,” Mehar Ali Shah said. Banks customers can submit cases from workplace The next session of water talks between Pakistani and Indian officials will be held Hamza not to in Islamabad next month, he said. The 116th meeting of the India-Pakistan SBP launches FX Portal for Permanent Indus Commission was held in comment on PPP New Delhi on 23-24 March 2021.
Recommended publications
  • Editorials for the Month of October 2019
    Editorials for the Month of October 2019 Note: This is a complied work by the Team The CSS Point. The DAWN.COM is the owner of the content available in the document. This document is compiled to support css aspirants and This document is NOT FOR SALE. You may order this booklet and only printing and shipping cost will be incurred. Complied & Edited By Shahbaz Shakeel (Online Content Manager) www.thecsspoint.com BUY CSS BOOKS ONLINE CASH ON DELIVERY ALL OVER PAKISTAN https://cssbooks.net ALL COMPULSORY AND OPTIONAL SUBJECTS BOOK FROM SINGLE POINT ORDER NOW 03336042057 - 0726540141 DOWNLOAD CSS Notes, Books, MCQs, Magazines www.thecsspoint.com Download CSS Notes Download CSS Books Download CSS Magazines Download CSS MCQs Download CSS Past Papers The CSS Point, Pakistan’s The Best Online FREE Web source for All CSS Aspirants. Email: [email protected] BUY CSS / PMS / NTS & GENERAL KNOWLEDGE BOOKS ONLINE CASH ON DELIVERY ALL OVER PAKISTAN Visit Now: WWW.CSSBOOKS.NET For Oder & Inquiry Call/SMS/WhatsApp 0333 6042057 – 0726 540316 CSS Compulsory Solved MCQs from 2000 to 2019 & CSS Compulsory Solved Subjective Papers from 2016 to 2019 Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power & Peace By Hans Morgenthau www.danzoman.com Kids Clothing Online Shop Best available Kids Dresses in Pakistan /danzomanofficial/ October 2019 Contents China at 70 .................................................................................................................................................. 11 Tourism potential .......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • December 16-31, 2019
    December 16-31, 2019 1 Table of Contents 1: December 16, 2019………………………………….…………………………03 2: December 17, 2019………………………………….………………………......11 3: December 18, 2019…………………………………………………………......18 4: December 19, 2019…………………………………………………...…...........26 5: December 20, 2019………………………………………………..…..........…..35 6: December 21, 2019………………………………………………………….…..37 7: December 22, 2019…………………………………………………………….41 8: December 23, 2019……………………………………..………………….........43 9: December 24, 2019…………………………………………...…………….…...48 10: December 25, 2019……………………………………………………............50 11: December 26, 2019…………………………………………………………….54 12: December 27, 2019…………………………………………………………….58 13: December 28, 2019…………………………………………………………….63 14: December 29, 2019……………………………...…………………………......65 15: December 30, 2019………………………………………………………..…...69 16: December 31, 2019………………………………………………………..…...70 Data collected and compiled by Almas Noor and Rabeeha Safdar 2 December 16, 2019 Business Recorder Thar block VI included in CPEC: minister KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Energy Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh has said that block VI of Thar coal has huge potential to produce gas, urea/fertilizer and liquid fuel (diesel). The minister said that owing to this reason Thar block VI had been included in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said this while talking to Naheed Memon, Chief Executive Officer of UK-based Company Oracle, who called on him to discuss the energy related issues specifically about Thar block VI. Shaikh said that the Sindh government had intended to initiate Thar Coal Block-VI as a national strategic project under the CPEC to develop coal mine, set up a 1,320 MW coal-fired power project, produce gas, urea and diesel. Block-VI of Thar Coal had estimated total coal reserves of 1.4 billion tones. Shaikh said that recently with the efforts of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Thar Block VI had been included as a potential block for coal to gas to urea/fertilizer production in 9th joint coordination committee (JCC) meeting on CPEC held on 5th Nov 2019.
    [Show full text]
  • An Introduction to Women's Parliamentary Caucus Parliament
    An Introduction to Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan The Caucus Icons —Three Legendary Women: Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah – 1893-1967 Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, the youngest sister of the Founder of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and a dentist by profession, emerged as the leading woman voice during the freedom struggle. During this Movement, she rendered innumerable services in organising Muslim women of the Sub-Continent from the platforms of “All India Muslim League’s Women Wing” and “All India Muslim Women Students Organisation” to seek for a separate homeland that would ensure equal rights to all its citizens, without any discrimination of gender, class or creed. While touring the remotest corners of the country, the “brother and sister duo” stood shoulder to shoulder, hence giving a message of “partnership on equal basis” loud and clear. In his book, “Jinnah, Pakistan and Islamic Ideology”, renowned writer and historian Prof. Akbar S. Ahmed records: “Quaid-e-Azam asked Fatima Jinnah to sit beside him at Sibi Darbar, the grand annual gathering of Baluch and Pakhtun chiefs and leaders. He was making a point: Muslim women must take their place in the history of Pakistan. The Sibi Darbar broke all precedents” She reached the zenith of her political accomplishments, when towards the end of her life in 1965 she defied tradition and challenged the dictatorship of Field Marshal Ayub Khan by contesting against him as the unanimous candidate of all the opposition parties. Even a conservative party like the Jamaat-i-Islami accepted her as a woman presidential candidate.
    [Show full text]
  • RSIS COMMENTARIES RSIS Commentaries Are Intended to Provide Timely And, Where Appropriate, Policy Relevant Background and Analysis of Contemporary Developments
    RSIS COMMENTARIES RSIS Commentaries are intended to provide timely and, where appropriate, policy relevant background and analysis of contemporary developments. The views of the authors are their own and do not represent the official position of the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU. These commentaries may be reproduced electronically or in print with prior permission from RSIS. Due recognition must be given to the author or authors and RSIS. Please email: [email protected] or call (+65) 6790 6982 to speak to the Editor RSIS Commentaries, Yang Razali Kassim. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ No. 103/2012 dated 19 June 2012 The Dangers of Creating a ‘Separate Identity’: Pakistan on a Slippery Course By Sajjad Ashraf Synopsis Pakistan has embarked on a slippery course by proposing the division of southern Punjab into two provinces, on linguistic grounds. Similar separatist tendencies in other provinces could split the federation. Commentary Amidst the ongoing chaos and anarchy in Pakistan an important development, with far reaching consequences for the country, is going un-noticed. Early this month President Asif Ali Zardari sent a formal request to the speaker of the National Assembly to set up a commission to look into the legal, political and economic issues of creating two new provinces in southern Punjab. Multan and Bahawalpur provinces, where Saraiki is the main Punjabi dialect, are proposed to be carved out of the existing Punjab. The speaker was also to initiate the necessary constitutional amendment for the division. The move seems timed to draw maximum benefit for the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the elections due early 2013.
    [Show full text]
  • 87Th Session SENATE SECRETARIAT ————— “QUESTIONS for ORAL ANSWERS and THEIR REPLIES”
    87th Session SENATE SECRETARIAT ————— “QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWERS AND THEIR REPLIES” to be asked at a sitting of the Senate to be held on Thursday, the 8th November, 2012 DEFERRED QUESTIONS (i) Question No. 33 : Set down for answering on 11th July, 2012 (ii) Question No. 18 : Set down for answering on 4th September, 2012 (iii) Question No. 68 : Set down for answering on 16th October, 2012] 33. *Syeda Sughra Imam: (Notice received on 04-06-2012 at 16:20 p.m.) Will the Minister for Interior be pleased to state the names of countries with which Pakistan has dual citizenship agreements indicating also the year of enactment of agreement with each country? Mr. A. Rehman Malik: The Government of Pakistan has dual nationality arrangements with sixteen (16) countries as per “Annex-A” indicating the year of commencement of the arrangements country-wise. 18. *Hafiz Hamdullah: (Notice received on 18-07-2012 at 11:30 a.m.) Will the Minister for Defence be pleased to state: (a) whether or not drone attacks are taking place under agreement,’ the date since when these attacks are taking place and the number of casualties occurred so far in these attacks indicating separately the number of civilian casualties and the number of terrorists being killed; and (b) the time up till which these attacks will continue and whether there is any strategy underway to stop these attacks or they will continue as usual? Syed Naveed Qamar: (a) Ministry of Defence has not made any agreement with any foreign Government permitting drone attacks in Pakistan.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 (19Th Session) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT
    1 (19th Session) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT ———— “QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWERS AND THEIR REPLIES” to be asked at a sitting of the National Assembly to be held on Thursday, the 13th February, 2020 4. *Syed Mehmood Shah: (Deferred on 31-01-2020) Will the Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division be pleased to state: (a) the details of district-wise number of persons, hailing from Balochistan, excluded from Benazir Income Support Programme; (b) whether survey had been conducted in the districts prior to the exclusion of aforesaid persons; (c) whether it is a fact that the Government intends to include more persons from Balochistan in the Benzir Income Support Programme; (d) if so, the steps being taken by the Government in this regard and whether members of National Assembly, Senate and Provincial Assembly will be provided quota in the process of inclusion of new persons? Reply not received. 6. *Ms. Shazia Marri: (Deferred on 31-01-2020) Will the Minister In-charge of the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division be pleased to state: 2 (a) the estimated cash transfer to BISP in first two quarters of the current financial year alongwith details of actual cash transfer to BISP in aforesaid period; (b) whether it is a fact that target of cash transfer in the aforesaid period could not be made and less disbursement was made to BISP; if so, details alongwith reasons thereof; (c) whether such less cash transfer to the program has been paying negative impact thereon; (d) if so, what steps are being taken by the Government to actualize estimated cash transfer to BISP in letter and spirit? Reply not received.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Federal Cabinet of Pakistan (Ministers, Advisers, Assistants, Secretaries) Current Federal Cabinet of Pakistan
    Current Federal Cabinet of Pakistan (Ministers, Advisers, Assistants, Secretaries) Current Federal Cabinet of Pakistan Prime Minister / Leader of House: Mr. Imran Khan CURRENT FEDERAL MINISTERS Portofolio Name Federal Minister for Aviation Division Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Khan Federal Minister for Communications, Addl: Postal Services Mr. Murad Saeed Federal Minister for Defence Mr. Pervez Khattak Federal Minister for Defence Production Ms. Zubaida Jalal Mr. Muhammad Hammad Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Division Azhar Federal Minister for Federal Education & Professional Mr. Shafqat Mahmood Training, Addl: National History and Literary Heritage Division Makhdoom Shah Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahmood Hussain Qureshi Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Federal Minister for Housing and Works Cheema Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr. Shireen M. Mazari Dr. Khalid Maqbool Information Technology and Telecommunication Siddiqui Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr. Fehmida Mirza Interior Mr. Ijaz Ahmad Shah Mr. Ali Amin Khan Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit Baltistan Gandapur Dr. Muhammad Farogh Law and Justice Naseem Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi Downloaded from www.csstimes.pk | 1 Current Federal Cabinet of Pakistan (Ministers, Advisers, Assistants, Secretaries) Sahibzada Muhammad National Food Security & Research Mehboob Sultan Muhammad Azam Khan Parliamentary Affairs Swati Makhdoom Khusro Planning, Development and Reform Bukhtiar Power Division, Petroleum Division Mr. Omar Ayub Khan Mr. Muhammad Mian Privatization Soomro Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Mr. Noor-Ul-Haq Qadri Science and Technology Mr. Fawad Ahmed Mr. Muhammad Faisal Water Resources Vawda CURRENT MINISTERS OF STATE MINISTERS OF STATE for Name Climate Change Ms. Zartaj Gul Mr. Muhammad Shabbir Housing and Works Ali Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Ali Muhammad States and Frontier Regions Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Talking to the Media and Addressing the Icy Will Be Successful All Over the World
    The Business | 02 LAHThOursdayR, NovE ember 19, 2020 Commitment, Rs 189,000 fine motivation vital for imposed over leadership: Yasmin profiteering By Our Staff Reporter By Our Staff Reporter LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister Dr LAHORE: The Price Control Magistrates Yasmin Rashid said here on Saturday that of the city district administration imposed commitment and motivation of leadership de - around Rs 189,000 fine on several shopkeepers fines the level and scale of success of institu - over profiteering and overcharging in various tions. parts of the provincial capital here on Saturday. The Health Minister was the chief guest at According to the city district administra - a workshop on Leadership and Management tion's spokesman, the magistrates inspected organized by the Directorate General Health around 929 points and found 84 violations Services Punjab, Minister’s Delivery Unit while cases were also registered against nine and UNICEF at a local hotel. Experts from violators. In line with special directives of international organization Franklin Covey the deputy commissioner, the magistrates imparted training on the subject. were conducting raids across the city to en - Present on the occasion were Director Gen - sure availability of commodities on govern - eral Health Services Punjab Dr. Haroon Je - ment announced rates. hangir, Professors from King Edward Medical University, Fatima Medical Univer - sity, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Sahiwal Med - Rescue DG ical College and other institutions. The CEOs of districts from Lahore, Sialkot, Gujrat, LAHORE: A view of Liberty Chowk roads painted with different colours. reviews progress Narowal and other districts also attended the workshop besides Medical Superintendents of grading system and CEOs of leading Teaching institutions.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Biradarism in Punjab Politics: a Case Study of Sialkot: JRSP, Vol.57, Issue 2(July-Dec 2020)
    The Role of Biradarism in Punjab Politics: A Case Study of Sialkot: JRSP, Vol.57, Issue 2(July-Dec 2020) Humaira Dar, Qudsia Batool, Mumtaz Ali Khan Imran Alam The Role of Biradarism in Punjab Politics: A Case Study of Sialkot Abstract Kinship (Baradarism) ties have been playing a vital role in man‟s social, economic and political life throughout ages. The establishment of society and state owe much to this cohesive force since the early stages of evolution of polity from dealing to the common and simple state of affairs to the modern day complex systems of running a government in this era of globalism. Generally, Kinship politics is commonly found in tribal societies across the world yet these ties still play an important and fundamental role in formation process of civil governments especially in developing countries like Pakistan, Indonesia and most of the African states. The Pakistani society and politics generally and Punjab politics especially has not yet been able to break the olden shackles of regional, tribal and kinship affinities. Non democratic forces like the military regimes, particularly augmented these affinities to minimize the role of political parties in Pakistan politics. The objective of this research is to analysis the role of baradarism in the politics of Sialkot which is recognized hub of business activities in Pakistan. The research is held to analysis following hypothesis; Baradarism always influence election whether non-party or party based in Sialkot, Political parties give the election ticket to the dominant biradaries in Sialkot region, Punjab politics cannot exist without baradarism. Qualitative approach is adopted to analysis the hypothesis.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Crisis
    21st April, 2019 Economic crisis: PM praises Sheikh, asks him to work harder ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday directed his newly appointed Adviser on Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafiz Sheikh to chalk out policies that are aligned with the government’s vision and priorities. The sources within the government told Business Recorder that the Prime Minister categorically told the newly appointed cabinet members, especially the finance team, that he “means business and anybody who fails to come up to his expectation will be shown the door.” The lady luck smiled on Chief Ministers of Punjab Usman Buzdar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan, as the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction on their performance and termed them ‘quite decent and hardworking.’ The sources quoted the Prime Minister as saying that he has full confidence in both the chief ministers. He also directed all the ministers to extend full support to the duo in materialising the government’s efforts to give relief to the masses. The Premier lamented the former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, saying he gave nothing but an economic crisis to the country when PML-N was in power, adding the then government did not remove him which further derailed the economy. “Now we have brought Hafeez Sheikh [as new adviser on finance] who has sound knowledge of the country’s economy and global financial affairs…I’m sure he will do his level best to steer the country out of prevailing economic crisis,” the PM was quoted as saying. They said that the PM Khan lamented a 300 per cent hike in prices of medicines, saying that he wanted to bring a revolution in health and education sectors, which is why the ministry is taken away from Amir Kayani as he failed to deliver.
    [Show full text]
  • Solution to Energy Crisis
    6th March, 2020 Syed Irfan Raza PM for ‘out-of-box’ solution to energy crisis ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to find an “out-of-the-box” solution to the energy crisis without putting any additional burden on the common man. “As years of corruption and inefficiency have weakened the foundation of the system, the emergency situation required out-of-box measures,” the prime minister said. The prime minister expressed these views while presiding over a meeting held here to review measures being taken for improving the efficiency of the state-owned institutions. Minister for Energy Umar Ayub Khan, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Minister for Privatisation Mohamma­dmian Soomro, Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcas­ting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Babar and senior government officers attended the meeting. PM Khan alleged that the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had inked faulty and costly international agreements that caused huge surge in circular debt in the power sector. He directed that an emergency programme be devised for redressal of the energy and petroleum sectors’ challenges, ensuring that the process of the system’s reformation put minimum burden on the common man. “The common man would not be made to bear the brunt of an inefficient and corrupt system, enforced for years and was not delivering,” he added. The prime minister was apprised on the administrative reforms in the auxiliary institutions of the ministries of petroleum and energy during the last 18 months, increase in revenue and the measures taken to improve the overall performance of these institutions.
    [Show full text]
  • Pakistan's Fight Against COVID-19: Analysing Delivery Deficiencies
    MP-IDSA Issue Brief Pakistan's Fight Against COVID-19: Analysing Delivery Deficiencies Zainab Akhter April 10, 2020 Summary Pakistan's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is marred with various challenges. The Imran Khan-led government's stubbornness in not agreeing to a complete lockdown is said to be the biggest obstacle in containing the spread of the virus. On top of it, the situation is further complicated by Imran's inability to engender a constructive federal dialogue over the issue, his reflexive antipathy towards the opposition, the orthodoxy exhibited by the religious groups, and the entry of the armed force into the scene as a major actor and consensus builder. Against this backdrop, this issue brief assesses Pakistan's preparedness in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and how various faultiness in Pakistani society, polity and power architecture affect the delivery of public goods in such a critical situation. PAKISTAN’S FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19: ANALYSING DELIVERY DEFICIENCIES Pakistan currently has the second-highest number of COVID-19 positive cases in South Asia. As of April 9, there are 4,409 confirmed cases of coronavirus with 64 deaths. Punjab tops the chart with 1380 cases. The latest report by the United Nations (UN) titled, The COVID-19 Shock to Developing Countries, has warned that “Pakistan could be hardest-hit by the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic”.1 This fight against the pandemic has exposed the various fault lines in Pakistan. The Army has stepped in to fight against this pandemic under ‘aid to civil’ authority provision of the constitution.
    [Show full text]