Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Pakistan’s imports drop sharply, leading to 42% reduction in trade deficit

    Pakistan’s imports drop sharply, leading to 42% reduction in trade deficit

    Pakistan’s trade deficit for the first three months of the fiscal year 2023–24 has notably contracted by 42.25 per cent to reach $5.29 billion. This remarkable reduction is primarily attributed to a significant decrease in imports, a direct consequence of carefully administered measures.

    Data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reveals that the trade balance, which represents the difference between exports and imports, stood at a deficit of $5.29 billion for the period spanning July to September 2023–24. This is in stark contrast to the $9.16 billion deficit recorded during the same period in the preceding year.

    Both exports and imports experienced declines in this timeframe, with imports showing a more substantial decrease compared to exports, effectively narrowing the trade deficit. During these three months of 2023–24, Pakistan’s exports contracted by 3.8 per cent to $6.9 billion, despite facing significant currency depreciation when compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.

    Conversely, imports registered a notable decline of 25.4 per cent, totaling $12.19 billion in the July–September period, down from the $16.33 billion recorded in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

    For a more granular view, the PBS reported that in September 2023, Pakistan’s trade deficit further shrank by nearly 48 per cent to $1.489 billion, compared to $2.856 billion during the same month in the previous year. 

    Exports experienced a slight improvement of 1.1 per cent, reaching $2.47 billion in September 2023 compared to $2.44 billion in the same month the previous year, while imports significantly decreased by 25.5 per cent to $3.95 billion from $5.29 billion in the corresponding month last year.

    From a monthly perspective, the trade deficit contracted by 31.5 per cent compared to August 2023, with exports increasing by 4.2 per cent to $2.47 billion in September from $2.37 billion in the preceding month of August. Simultaneously, imports decreased by 12.9 per cent, amounting to $3.95 billion from $4.53 billion in the last month.

  • Pakistan to deport 1.1 million illegal foreign residents in security move

    Pakistan to deport 1.1 million illegal foreign residents in security move

    Due to security concerns, the caretaker government led by Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar announced on Monday its intention to repatriate 1.1 million foreign nationals who are currently residing in Pakistan without legal authorisation.

    The government’s plan involves a multi-phase approach. In the initial phase, those individuals who are residing in Pakistan unlawfully, colloquially referred to as “aliens,” will be subject to eviction, as will individuals who fail to renew their visas.

    Subsequent phases will target individuals with Afghan citizenship who possess proof of residence cards. The decision to take action against illegally residing Afghan citizens was made due to concerns that this group is linked to activities such as funding, facilitating, and smuggling terrorists. Additionally, a significant number of Afghan nationals have not renewed their proof of residence in Pakistan, further raising security concerns.

    A source familiar with the situation emphasised that illegally residing foreigners pose a significant security risk to Pakistan. The Ministry of Interior has collaborated with relevant stakeholders and the Afghan government to formulate a comprehensive plan for implementation.

    In parallel, the ministry has issued directives to identify and compile records of Afghans living in Pakistan without proper permits. Plans are being developed to facilitate their transportation back to the Afghan border. Authorities are also expediting the processing of applications related to the registration of Afghan nationals.

    Last week, it was reported that the government would soon announce a one-month deadline for all illegal foreign immigrants, including Afghans, to voluntarily leave the country or face legal consequences. Following this deadline, law enforcement agencies will conduct a nationwide crackdown to identify and deport illegal immigrants, the majority of whom are believed to be Afghan nationals.

    At the highest level, the government is committed to preventing Pakistan from becoming a sanctuary for illegal immigrants, many of whom are engaged in criminal activities and smuggling operations. Notably, some illegal Afghan immigrants have already been apprehended for engaging in illicit dollar trading, negatively impacting the country’s economy.

    Additionally, a considerable number of illegal foreign nationals are involved in various businesses across major cities, including the federal capital. The increase in street crime in Islamabad has been associated with the influx of illegal Afghan nationals.

    According to The News, it is estimated that approximately 1.1 million Afghan refugees are residing in Pakistan without legal authorization. Since the return of the Afghan Taliban to Afghanistan in August 2021, around 400,000 Afghans have entered Pakistan illegally, with an additional 700,000 identified as residing in the country without legal permission.

  • Pakistan’s security forces lost 386 personnel in 2023: report

    Pakistan’s security forces lost 386 personnel in 2023: report

    A recent Security Report released by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) reveals that Pakistan’s security forces lost at least 386 personnel, including 137 army soldiers, in the first nine months of the ongoing year, marking an eight-year high as the country continues to battle militant violence.

    The Islamabad-based think tank’s report states, “Over the past five years, there has been a consistent and alarming surge in violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces. Equally greater concern is the collective percentage of violence-related fatalities recorded in these two provinces which indicates a disturbing upward trend over the last five years; together, they suffered 72% of all fatalities in 2019, and this unsetting figure surged to a staggering 92% in the first 9 months of 2023.”

    There has been a trend of brutal attacks against religious congregations in the country, with more than 60 people losing their lives in two separate bombing incidents at a mosque and a gathering to mark the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth anniversary on Friday.

    “Pakistan’s security forces lost at least 386 personnel, 36 percent of all fatalities – including 137 army and 208 police personnel – in the first 9 months of 2023, marking an eight-year high as the country continues to battle proxy terrorism, largely in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan,” the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) said in its report released on Saturday.

    “With 1087 violence-related fatalities recorded so far during the year, the outlaws suffered 368 (34 percent), followed by civilians with 333 (31 percent) fatalities,” it added.

    The CRSS maintained there had been a consistent and alarming increase in violence in the two Pakistani western provinces over the past five years.

    Experts attribute the recent increase in militant violence and security forces casualties in Pakistan to the change of government in neighboring Afghanistan, saying it emboldened militant groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and fueled separatist violence in Balochistan.

  • A Pakistani component will soon be going to the moon

    A Pakistani component will soon be going to the moon

    China’s new mission to the moon, Chang’e 6, will be launched in 2024, carrying a Pakistani satellite.

    As per a statement issued by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Chang’e 6 mission will be launched to the moon in the first half of 2024.

    The mission is set to carry payloads to the moon from Pakistan, the European Space Agency (ESA), France and Italy.

    This includes French instruments to test radioactive gas, ESA’s Negative Ion Detector, Italy’s Valle Brett Radar System, and Pakistan’s satellite named CubeSat.

    China is currently expanding the International Lunar Research Station project that will result in more international partnerships in the future as well as an increased international cooperation.

    Constituting a first in history, Chang’e-6 mission is to journey towards the dark side of the moon and gather specimens from its surface.

    Previously, samples were collected from the near surface of the moon.

    The aim is to collect samples from various areas of the moon to evaluate its age. This is said to be followed by Chang’e 7 robotic mission to the moon’s south pole.

    This will trace for signs of ice and examine the region’s atmosphere and weather.

    The Chang’e 8 mission is said to conclude the Chang’e missions and to possibly establish a research station on the planet.

  • Want a phone on instalments? The govt has good news for you

    Want a phone on instalments? The govt has good news for you

    The Caretaker Federal Minister for IT, Dr. Umar Saif, has said in a conversation with Samaa that by January 2024, people will be able to buy Pakistani-made mobile phones in installments.

    Dr. Saif pointed out that Pakistan has the fifth largest population and the seventh largest telecom industry in the world; 33 national companies have made 57 million low-cost mobile phones, of which one crore 20 lakhs have been exported.

    Made-in-Pakistan phones will be less expensive and will cost an average of 15 thousand rupees.

    He added that having 1.5 million cell phone users in the country is a big deal; and despite the lack of foreign exchange, most mobile phones are imported, asserting that there is no reason why mobile phones cannot be assembled and manufactured within the country.

    He questioned that if India can manufacture iPhones, why can’t Pakistan too. According to Dr. Saif, Pakistan’s IT exports are 2.6 billion dollars while India’s is 150 billion dollars because there is a lack of trained manpower since only 120 thousand people are available here.

    He asserted there is a need to train students in universities and he aims to upskill two lakh people as well as establish e-employment centres for five lakh freelancers in the next two years.

    The caretaker IT minister is also determined to take IT exports to 10 billion dollars.

  • Security personnel are involved in cross-border smuggling, says Sarfraz Bugti

    Security personnel are involved in cross-border smuggling, says Sarfraz Bugti

    Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said on Monday in a press conference that security officials who are involved in cross-border smuggling would be court-martialed.

    Pakistan has escalated its crackdown on smugglers involved in the transportation of goods and dollars to Afghanistan.

    “If I say that security forces weren’t involved in [smuggling], it won’t be right as the [smuggled] items are transported via trucks, not camels,” Bugti said during a press conference in Islamabad.

    He also mentioned that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has told military officials that whoever is involved in cross-border smuggling will face the consequences.

    “Pakistan’s army chief had told his people very clearly: there won’t only be court-martials, but those involved in such activities would also be sent to jail,” the interior minister mentioned.

    Bugti also told the reporters that the Army’s accountability mechanism is not disclosed to the public; that’s why the general population doesn’t know much about it.

  • Kab aur kaisay a rahey hain Nawaz Sharif?

    Kab aur kaisay a rahey hain Nawaz Sharif?

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is all set to welcome back their leader to Pakistan and the stage is being set by his party leaders and members.

    If there are any doubts about his return, we have the details of his flight booking for you.

    Sources have said that the former premier will return to Pakistan on October 21 via a connecting flight. Sharif will land at Abu Dhabi International Airport from London on October 21 and on the same day, he will leave for Lahore.

    Mian Nawaz Sharif’s business class ticket for flight 243 on a private airline had been booked in advance. The PML-N supremo’s flight will land at the Lahore Airport at 6:25 PM.

    Nawaz Sharif was permanently disqualified in 2017 for not declaring an outstanding salary. After that, he went to London in 2019 for a medical checkup and hasn’t come back yet.

    The PML-N, with the assistance of its legal team, intends to petition the Lahore High Court (LHC) for Nawaz’s bail prior to his arrival in Pakistan. This decision has been made in order to prevent Nawaz from being arrested at Lahore airport, as he has been declared a proclaimed offender.

  • Imran, Qureshi to appear at court on October 4

    Imran, Qureshi to appear at court on October 4

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been summoned by a special court established under the Official Secrets Act on October 4 in the cipher case.

    The development occurred two days after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted a challan against Imran and Qureshi.

    Special court judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain has sent notices to respondents, stating that there are enough witnesses to call the suspects to court.

    Judge Zulqarnain directed the superintendent of Adiala jail to present the PTI chief and vice chairman in court on October 4.

    The FIA, in its charge sheet, stated that the former prime minister and former foreign minister were found guilty in the case and requested the court to sentence them in cipher case.

    According to the sources of Geo, the name of former finance minister Asad Umar is not on FIA’s list. On the other hand, Imran Khan’s principle secretary, Azam Khan, is a “strong witness” in the same case.

  • Three reasons why we’re excited to watch upcoming film ‘Gunjal’

    Three reasons why we’re excited to watch upcoming film ‘Gunjal’

    Social media was set ablaze yesterday when the official trailer for the upcoming film ‘Gunjal’ released on all platforms, promising to take users on a thrilling journey about one of the darkest cases in Pakistan. We are incredibly happy to witness the Pakistani industry shift its filmmaking approach and step into more complex social issues. Here are some reasons why we’re super excited to watch ‘Gunjal’:

    1 It explores the investigation of the murder of prominent children right’s activist Iqbal Masih

    For most of our audience members who don’t know Iqbal Masih, he was a vocal critic of abusive child labour in Pakistan, a state he escaped at the age of 10. Because of his protests, Iqbal was able to free more than 3000 children from forced slavery. He visited countries like the US and Sweden where he advocated for an end to bonded labour. However, Iqbal was tragically shot by unknown culprits at the age of 12. But his efforts to eradicate bonded labour didn’t go unnoticed as he posthumously received  World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child in 2000, and later the Sitara-e-Shujaat in 2022 from President Arif Alvi.

    2 The cast list includes thespians like Resham and Ahmed Ali Akbar

    After the success of dramas like ‘Gunah’ and ‘Churails’, as well as Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’, it’s clear that Pakistanis want something else other than saas-bahu content. A film like ‘Gunjal’ will ignite the audience’s curiosity and encourage more to watch the film in theatres, because this is a clear opportunity to bring more diverse stories back on our screens.

    3 We need more crime thrillers in Pakistan

    After the success of dramas like ‘Gunah’ and ‘Churails’, as well as Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ it’s clear that Pakistanis want something else other than saas-bahu content. Clearly, a film like ‘Gunjal’ will ignite the audience’s curiosity and encourage more to watch the film in theatres, because this is a clear opportunity to bring more diverse stories back on our screens.

    Gunjal is directed by Shoaib Sultan and written by Nirmal Bano and Ali Kazmi, and its set to release in theatres across Pakistan on December 8.

  • MoU signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to promote digital economy

    MoU signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to promote digital economy

    Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together in communication and information technology, in a bid to promote the digital economy.

    According to Saudi Arabia’s official news agency SPA, the purpose of the memorandum is to establish cooperation in the fields of communication and information technology for digital transformation, promotion of innovation and development of digital infrastructure.

    This memorandum of understanding was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah Bin Amir Al-Sawaha and Pakistan’s Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Umar Saif.

    Under the MoU, the two countries will establish innovation hubs, centres of excellence and university branches for advanced technologies, as well as strengthen cooperation in the systems of small and medium-sized enterprises and emerging companies.

    They will also work on policies, technologies, systems and legislation in the field of digitization and electronic manufacturing.

    Both sides have pledged to focus on e-governance, smart infrastructure, e-health and e-education, the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing, games and more.