Pakistan has decided to suspend all flights from the UK until December 29 after a new strain of the coronavirus emerged in the United Kingdom.
The restriction will be on all direct and indirect flights from the UK, effective December 23 at 12:00am, and will be applicable to all persons who are travelling from the UK and are in or have been in the UK for 10 days.
On the other hand some passengers will be exempted from these restrictions. Transit passengers who do not leave airside in the UK and who were travelling from areas other than the UK will be allowed to travel to Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani passport holders who travelled to the UK on visitor visas will be allowed to return with the following arrangements:
A negative PCR test within 72 hours before the flight
They will stay in the airport or in a government facility until the PCR test is taken.
Mandatory enforced home quarantine for 7 days
Trace and Test all passengers who arrived from the UK over the past 7 days as per TTQ protocol, including passengers arriving on 22 December.
The Pass Tack App, introduced by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), is mandatory for all travellers arriving in Pakistan. Those who do not have it will need to fill out the web form of the Pass Track App.
The passengers who do not have the Pass Track App will need to fill out the web form of the application.
“NCOC will review the above-mentioned decisions on December 28, 2020, and any change will be communicated to CAA for further necessary instructions,” the notification from the Aviation Division said.
It is important to mention that flights from the UK are being suspended to 40 countries across the world including, Spain, India and Hong Kong.
Other countries to impose a ban on UK arrivals include Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Russia, and Switzerland. Some of the bans are already in force while others are to begin on Tuesday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) tweeted late on Saturday that it was “in close contact with UK officials on the new #COVID19 virus variant” and promised to update governments and the public as more is learned.
The new strain was identified in southeastern England in September and has been spreading in the area ever since, a WHO official told the BBC on Sunday.
A WHO spokeswoman told AFP that “across Europe, where transmission is intense and widespread, countries need to redouble their control and prevention approaches.”
It is important to note that while increased transmission is proportional to the chances of further mutation, the EU experts do not believe that the mutation should hinder the effectiveness of the vaccines.
It seems the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is in two minds about staying in the Pakistan Democratic Movement because the party is allegedly responsible for holding the anti-government movement back over its key demands, claims senior journalist Saleem Safi.
Speaking in Geo TV’s Shahzeb Khanzada show, Safi said the PPP was “creating problems” for the PDM by not agreeing to mass resignations and the long march towards Islamabad. Instead, it wanted to hold small rallies in different cities of Pakistan to “buy more time”, he claimed.
He said that both Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) believe that the PPP was in contact with the powers-that-be to reach a deal. “Both parties are not reacting to this development because of the alliance, but the PPP has been told that if it wants to gain results via backdoor talks, it can go ahead,” he claimed, adding that PML-N and JUI-F are not happy with the PPP.
According to Safi, the PPP was at the forefront when the PDM was formed, but the party has been gradually moving away from the 11-party alliance. He said the statement by PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari –in response to PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif taking names of the army chief and intelligence chief in a jalsa — wherein he expressed shock was a part of a well-thought strategy. “Bilawal gave this statement to appease the establishment and distance the PPP from the PML-N,” he claimed.
The senior journalist further claimed that the opposition parties wanted to resign in December and hold a sit-in in Islamabad, but this idea, too, was opposed by the PPP.
He said the PPP’s decision to participate in the by-polls has also damaged the cause of the PDM and the Election Commission of Pakistan decided to hold bypolls on the vacant seats following the insistence of the PPP.
Safi further said that the PDM leadership knows that if the PPP ditches the PDM after signing the resignation letters then the party will be reduced to just one province, Sindh.
“Maulana Fazl thinks that PPP will not give up its status as a national party to save its skin and will remain a part of the PDM,” he added.
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar on Monday tested positive for COVID-19, sources in the CM House confirmed to The Current two days after the provincial chief executive attended a high profile wedding in Lahore.
“The CM was tested for coronavirus after after he complained of symptoms,” a CM House official said.
“The chief minister had quarantined himself after feeling sick on Sunday,” the official version maintained.
Among other guests at the two-day wedding ceremony were Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, former CJP Asif Saeed Khosa and ex-prime minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gillani.
Ex-CJP Saqib Nisar also reportedly attended the event.
A young man from Faisalabad reportedly lost his life on Monday after he “failed to win” a game of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) online.
According to reports, the man was taken to the hospital yesterday while he was unconscious.
The family said that the boy had been playing the online game for the last six months. He lost the last stage of the game last night that had a deep effect on his mind. The exact cause of death has not yet been ascertained.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds popularly known as PUBG was temporarily banned in Pakistan after reports appeared that it had negative effects on the minds of the youth.
Prime Minister Imran Khan paid a fine to the tune of Rs1.2million to get his 300-kanal residence in Banigala, Islamabad, approved by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) under the new bylaws.
It was approved under the amended regulation on March 5 this year but was not disclosed publicly. The Islamabad Capital Territory Residential Sectors Zoning (Building Control) Regulations 2020 were finalised by a commission constituted by the cabinet in Dec 2018 for revision of Islamabad’s master plan, according to a report in Dawn.
However, the master plan was supposed to be revised by a consultant firm, which hasn’t happened as of yet.
As per CDA, the residence is situated in sub-zone B of zone IV, where construction took place without permission but “falls in the permissible area” where houses can be regularised.
The CDA officials said the move was not “discriminatory treatment” and complied with the new bylaws.
According to the CDA officials, the house was regularised only after the PM fulfilled all the requirements for its legalisation. The approval letter issued by the CDA said that the PM “paid Rs1.206 million to the CDA on account of approval charges and scrutiny fee”.
“CDA is pleased to approve the building plans for the building be constructed on Khasra No. 1939, Khewat no, 960, Khatooni no, 1652,1654,1656,1658,1660 & 1674 Mouza Mohra Noor, Islamabad,” read the approval letter quoted by the newspaper.
Amid controversial reports that Pakistan was mulling to establish ties with Israel, Pakistani journalist Ahmed Quraishi claimed that Pakistan and Israel are on the “cusp of making their decades-old secret ties public” by the establishment of the diplomatic ties on the official level.
Pakistan has repeatedly denied the existence of ties with Israel and called such reports “baseless”. It says that there will be no normalisation of ties with Tel Aviv till the resolution of the Palestinian issue.
Speaking to an Israeli TV channel, Quraishi said that he knew “for a fact that it was just a matter of time” before the two countries announced the formation of the ties.
Journalist @_AhmedQuraishi1 to @calev_i24: 'It's just a matter of time before Pakistan-Israel relations are made public', adding '@ImranKhanPTI would be open to normalization as both countries increasingly find themselves on the same side of security issues across the region' pic.twitter.com/dnmnKadfbR
“It is a long history that goes back at least quarter of a century,” he said, adding that Islamabad and Tel Aviv have cooperated on international forum even though they do not enjoy official relations.
He said that Pakistan and Israel don’t have any sort of “strategic conflict”, adding that because of the Palestinian issue their relationship is “suffering”. He also called it a “story of missed opportunities”.
In 2005, the governments of both countries “established a very public, formal, political, and diplomatic contact in Ankara” that was mediated by then prime minister of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan.
He said then president Gen Pervez Musharraf also called for a dialogue between the Jewish people and Muslims, adding that it was time to “revive” that.
In response to question, he said Prime Minister Imran Khan is probably open to this idea, but he is caught up in the religious-dominated politics over the past few years. “I think he needs a little push to take this step,” the journalist claimed, adding that this push can from “within the country” or some friendly country can ask him to take this step.
“The PM must be weighing his options, given Pakistan and Israel have same friends –the US, Gulf countries, Turkey, China, Nato, Azerbaijan — and share similar views on many security issues, e.g. Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict,” he added.
In a recent interview with a TV channel, PM Imran denied all reports regarding talks of setting up ties with Israel. “Pakistan will refuse to recognise Israel until Palestinian rights are guaranteed,” he told the interviewer.
“Pakistan is a democratic society — and our entire nation stands with the Palestinians,” he had said, denying reports of a meeting between his adviser and Israeli officials. “Why would anyone go from Pakistan when it’s our policy that we don’t recognize Israel?” he had questioned.
“What’s a minister going to do there? This is absolutely fake news.”
Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that she was ready to have a boxing match with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz.
In a press conference in Lahore alongside British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan, Firdous said she was ready to fight anyone.
“I want to have a match with people who will come up to my level,” said the Punjab CM’s aide. At this, Amir Khan, who is in Pakistan on a visit, challenged the politician to defeat Maryam Nawaz in a boxing match. Firdous accepted the challenge, likening the PML-N vice president to a “broiler chicken”.
The comments by Firdous irked the PML-N. “Baji, you’re quite aware that she is a Rajkumari,” PML-N’s Azma Bokhari tweeted in reply to Firdous’s comments. “Also, she is protecting the masses from your punches of inflation, unemployment and corruption.”
Earlier this month, Firdous Ashiq Awan broke a stack of tiles with a punch, saying it was her response to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). “The PDM has been throwing punches at Imran Khan’s government, so now this was her response to them,” she had said.
“I was afraid that I would be made fun of in front of the media if I don’t punch through [the tiles],” she said. “I don’t know Karate nor have I ever done anything like this. Of course, my knuckles were in severe pain… they aren’t made of steel after all,” she told Samaa TV in a subsequent interview.
Maulana Tariq Jamil has tested negative for coronavirus.
Announcing the news on social media, the renowned religious scholar wrote: “Alhumdulillah with the love and prayers of everyone, I have tested negative.”
He added that “he still needed prayers for a complete recovery.”
“May Allah let the humanity get rid of this pandemic with His blessings.”
الحمداللہ آپ سب مٌحبین کی دعاوں سے میرا ٹیسٹ نیگیٹو آگیا ہے،مکمل صحتیابی کےلئے ابھی مزید آپ سب کی دعاوں کا محتاج ہوں، اللہ کریم اپنی رحمت سے اس وبا سے انسانیت کو خلاصی نصیب فرمائیں۔#tariqjamil
Maulana Tariq Jamil had tested positive for COVID-19 on December 13. He was later admitted to the hospital on his doctor’s advise. Prime Minister Imran Khan and other senior leaders had extended their prayers and wished him a speedy recovery.
While COVID-19 has been creating havoc, unfortunately, in all parts of the world, it has had a massive impact in most developing countries, choking up the already shaking health and welfare systems.
In Pakistan, the outbreak has caused an economic stoppage that amounts to a great loss, where the graph for unemployment shot up high from the very beginning of this pandemic. Not to forget, the worst-hit out of the country’s total population are the daily wage earners and those who inhabit unfortunately in the urban slums. Moreover, while the major parts of the city and larger groups were attended to and received help, the disabled were marginalised a great deal.
For years, Pakistan as a nation has marked itself in the top three charitable countries around the globe. Local charities have been playing a key role in curtailing the economic burden on the government by providing meals, medical assistance and other key services to low-income groups.
In order to assist and form a chain reaction with the said cause during these unreasonably trying times, PepsiCo Foundation — the philanthropic wing of the organisation — declared and extended support for the unemployed people and partnered up with the best charitable organisations under the umbrella of the ‘Millions of Meals’ initiative. The campaign was envisioned on such a large scale and designed to complete the aim of distributing an astonishing number of 13 million meals with over 500 volunteers and countless supporters, to the communities most affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
In order to assist the poor survive the harshness of lockdowns, unemployment and hunger caused due to economic and financial challenges, Pepsi joined hands with nine distinct charities. Among several others, targeting the lesson of ‘inclusivity’ is where NOWPDP was collaborated with, that caters to the differently-abled people in the society.
The idea was to empower millions of dreams, despite the odds and reach out all corners of the country, with a vision of providing immediate emergency disaster relief for the many vulnerable, neglected parts of Pakistan. NOWPDP helped in taking forward the initiative and making sure no one gets left behind specially those who are limited in their physical ability.
NOWPDP operates in the development sector with a focus on inclusion through empowerment of persons with disabilities. As mentioned above, with the pandemic spreading its shadow all over, the most affected were the differently-abled who were now absolutely clueless and helpless in terms of taking care of their needs.
Their agenda is to help people with disabilities and for them to be an important stakeholder in the bigger picture, whether it is in regard to education or employment, as they emphasise on their big idea, “A Part. Not Apart”. In addition, what fuels the members of this organisation, include; empathy, action and social justice. Persons with disabilities (PWDs) have equal access to opportunities and are an integral part of society. Their aim is to promote an inclusive society through holistic and sustainable endeavors in the areas of education and economic empowerment.
Supported by PepsiCo, NOWPDP took on the responsibility of reaching out to thousands of vulnerable households. They reached out to the differently-abled residing in Hyderabad, Sujawal, Tando Allah Yar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Kot Ghulam Muhammad, Nawabshah, Sukkur, Larkana and distributed 171,675 meals altogether. For this, a group of people was specially brought together to form a call centre at NOWPDP during pandemic times to address and facilitate those in need. This effort was catering specially to the differently-abled and the deserving, where employees were to get the database together of those residing in various cities of Pakistan.
Babar Iqbal, a call centre agent at NOWPDP said, “Upon calling the differently-abled person, we are asked if they will be getting ration. When they are told all that it entails, the response and most importantly the happiness in their voice along with prayers is something that can’t be explained in words.”
In addition, while the big cities of Pakistan are catered to by multiple organisations, the ones that get left behind are the differently-abled residing in interior Sindh.
NOWPDP Executive Director Omair Ahmad said, “To achieve economic empowerment for disenfranchised communities, particularly persons with disabilities, it is incumbent on us to take the first step and show a desire, willingness and empathy to ensure that they have access to basic necessities like food and water. Without welfare, empowerment becomes a distant reality, a facade, an unachievable goal, and a dream. Thus, we are grateful to Pepsi for this initiative and understanding the urgency of this need for thousands of persons with disabilities across the country, and promptly extending their support. We hope that this journey on the path of hope will allow millions to achieve their dream of empowerment.
This nation is full of people with a big heart who are ever ready to help those in need. We take great pride in it and this collaboration of PEPSICO and NOWPDP, which has shown us how inclusivity holds sheer importance and how endearing it is to cater to the disabled, is providing them with employment opportunities and assisting them to grow and know there are lots to look after them leaving no man behind when the entire world is at a halt owing to the pandemic. Here’s to more successful collaborations and a wish for phase 2 to take place.
The Indian Army has deliberately targeted a United Nations (UN) vehicle carrying military observers along the Line of Control (LoC), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said.
ISPR tweeted that the Indian Army resorted to unprovoked firing in Chirikot sector of the LoC and “deliberately targeted a UN vehicle with two military observers on board”. “The military observers were en route to interact with victims of the ceasefire violations (CFVs) in Polas village in Chirikot sector,” it added.
Indian Army resorted to unprovoked fire in Chirikot Sector of #LOC. Indian troops deliberately targeted a United Nations vehicle with 2 Military Observers on board, enroute to interact with CFV victims in Polas Village in Chirikot Sector. It must be noted that the UN (1/4) pic.twitter.com/9MB0uLpq6d
UN vehicles are clearly recognisable due to their distinct make and type and clearly visible markings, but they were still targetted. “While the vehicle was damaged, the two UNMOs luckily remained unharmed. They were safely rescued and evacuated by the Pakistan Army to Rawalakot,” the ISPR said.
According to the ISPR, “Such illegal and unlawful acts against all established international norms, signify malintent of the Indian Army to target not only innocent civilians residing along the Line of Control but also the UN peacekeepers.”
“This act only goes to show the Indian army’s complete disregard to principles enshrined in UN charter. It is indeed a new low for Indian Army,” it added.
The media wing said that Pakistan Army stands in solidarity with the United Nations Military Observer Group in India And Pakistan (UNMOGIP) officials and appreciates the selfless services rendered by all members of UNMOGIP in the discharge of their UN-mandated duties.
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that India was planning to undertake a surgical strike against Pakistan to divert the attention of the world from its worsening domestic situation.
Addressing a press conference in Abu Dhabi, Qureshi had said that India’s irrational approach was driven by its frustration emanating from internal unrest due to the RSS-BJP regime’s policies.
“India is planning a false flag operation … we are well aware of the Indian designs. We have intelligence reports about a potential false flag operation,” the FM said. “I want to share all this information with the UAE government and the rest of the world,” Qureshi had added.
