Current Final

Category: National

  • PM Imran refuses to accept Aamir Liaquat Hussain’s resignation

    PM Imran refuses to accept Aamir Liaquat Hussain’s resignation

    Televangelist and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker in the National Assembly, Aamir Liaquat Hussain, has claimed that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has rejected his resignation letter.

    “After a long meeting with PM Imran Khan, my four-page resignation was rejected. I opened my heart told the PM everything. The PM hailed my efforts for raising my voice for Karachi’s issues and said thinking about the public was the role of an elected leader,” he tweeted on Monday.

    Earlier in the day, Hussain had posted on social media that he was on his way to the PM House to submit his resignation.

    Last week, he had announced resigning as an MNA from Karachi over prolonged unannounced power outages in the port city.

    “I confess that I am a helpless MNA of Karachi. I am unable to provide electricity to the people of my city. I cannot see the people of my city suffer. I will ask the prime minister for time and submit my resignation,” he had said.

    A spike in power outages is spelling misery for a major chunk of the metropolis’ residents with some areas having interrupted electric supply for weeks now.

    This, however, is not the first time that the PTI MNA has been in the news for being upset at his party.

    In 2018, a month after the general election, reports had emerged of differences between Hussain and the PTI after he had expressed anger with the party over failure to invite him to a dinner hosted at the Governor’s House.

    According to reports, Liaquat left a WhatsApp group comprising PTI Sindh’s leaders over the issue.

  • Destroying Buddha

    Destroying Buddha

    Police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Saturday arrested four men involved in smashing an antique Gandharan Buddha statue found during construction work in Mardan. The remaining parts of the 1,700-year-old statue have also been recovered by Mardan police.

    When videos of a man breaking the antique statue surfaced on social media, many Pakistanis expressed their anger and disappointment at the blatant vandalism of an ancient cultural heritage. According to reports, the man who broke the Buddha statue was instigated by local cleric[s]. The video reminded one of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan, which were once the world’s tallest Buddhas but were blown up and destroyed by the Taliban in 2001 on orders by Mullah Omar.

    Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that if the progressive people of Pakistan remain silent observers and neutral, all hopes of a progressive and modern Pakistan will be dashed. Chaudhry added that “social degradation is immense and silence is not an option unless you want this society to be as dead as [a] graveyard”. His words about a dead or decadent society should be pondered over. Pakistani society is fast turning into a reactionary and intolerant one. The construction of a Hindu temple was halted just a week ago in Islamabad after protests by religious groups and now we have witnessed the destruction of a Buddha statue.

    While the KP government must be appreciated for its quick response in arresting those involved in this crime, we must ask ourselves if we want Pakistan to be a country envisioned by founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah or if we want it to turn it into a land of bigotry. The mistreatment meted out to our religious minorities renders the white in our flag meaningless. Unless and until all citizens are treated equally, regardless of their colour, caste, creed, religion and ethnicity, Pakistan cannot prosper.

    It was also unfortunate to see some of our lawmakers, including Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif, justify and defend the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque in Turkey by citing Turkey’s laws and system of judiciary. This kind of obfuscation leads to the justification of bigoted acts. The progressive people of Pakistan do speak out against injustices but they are a minority, or so it seems. We used to say that the ‘silent majority’ in Pakistan is tolerant and against discrimination of religious minorities but in the past few years, we have seen that the so-called ‘silent majority’ actually nods in agreement with the reactionaries.

    It is rather sad to see Pakistan spiral into a regressive society. We must go back to the vision of our founding father who wanted to see a progressive and pluralist Pakistan.

  • Govt mouthpieces jump in to defend Buzdar amid rumours of his removal

    Govt mouthpieces jump in to defend Buzdar amid rumours of his removal

    With rumours of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar’s removal going rife, information ministries of both Centre and Punjab have jumped in to defend the chief executive of Pakistan’s most populous province.

    Reports, after a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa among others, had earlier this week claimed that Buzdar’s removal was on cards.

    While it wasn’t the first time such claims were made regarding the fate of CM Buzdar, the rumour has been shot down by Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz as well as Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan.

    In a tweet, the federal minister said the Punjab CM wasn’t going anywhere.

    Meanwhile, Chohan, who has been vocal even against senior leaders of his own party for criticising Buzdar, said that the Punjab CM would complete his tenure.

    In a statement, he said that Buzdar was not going anywhere and those involved in looting people were spreading such rumours in failed attempts to affect the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    Defending his boss, who has recently come under criticism for his “below-par” performance, Chohan said that Buzdar had been delivering on his responsibilities with ease.

    “Usman Buzdar is serving the people at his own pace without making any decisions in a hasty manner,” he was quoted as saying.

    Earlier, a few members of the opposition had claimed that the Punjab government had failed in fulfilling its promises to the people and that PM Imran was looking for Buzdar’s replacement.

    Senior journalists had also claimed that Punjab was on the verge of “getting a new CM”.

    However, the information ministers’ statements suggest that the premier’s faith in Buzdar has restored if it had ever taken a blow at all.

  • Is coronavirus ending in Pakistan?

    Is coronavirus ending in Pakistan?

    The first three weeks of June saw not only a rapid spread of the new coronavirus but deaths attributed to the COVID-19 also stood at around a daily average of 100.

    While the country, since the last week of June, has witnessed a significant decrease in the number of coronavirus infections amid conflicting claims regarding what has led to the drop, Pakistan has an optimistic recovery rate as 67.5% of people who had contracted the virus have so far recovered.

    While it is still unclear if the virus has already peaked in Pakistan or not, testing, active cases and the recovery rate are the major factors proving helpful in estimating not only the spread of the virus but also the pandemic situation.

    So far, July hasn’t been as bad as last month as government statistics from the first two weeks show there has been an increase in COVID-19 recoveries while the number of new cases has also dropped significantly.

    While the reason behind the sudden drop still remains unclear as government boasts of its successful strategy and experts attribute the decline to Pakistanis’ better immunity due to exposure to various vaccinations, it cannot be denied that the drop has been led to also because of lower testing as compared to the month of June.

    People are realising that they would recover if they have mild symptoms and only need to isolate themselves without actually heading out to get tested, surveys suggest.

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Heath Dr Zafar Mirza has also confirmed that not many people are voluntarily showing up to get tested anymore. “We are unable to conduct as many tests as we were earlier, despite having a daily capacity 60,000. Pakistan has set up more than 125 labs for COVID-19 testing but we need human resources to run those labs as the testing capacity needs to continuously be enhanced.”

    Meanwhile, a majority of people are also making use of telehealth services by consulting their doctors over the phone or contacting the government’s coronavirus helpline (1166). According to a doctor working at a COVID-19 helpline centre, she alone receives around 40 calls a day for medical advice.

  • American Federal Aviation Administration downgrades Pakistan to category 2

    American Federal Aviation Administration downgrades Pakistan to category 2

    America’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has downgraded Pakistan’s safety rating to category 2, which foreign media reports say is a serious but not unexpected blow to a country with a scandal-plagued aviation sector.

    As per the details, the FAA’s decision that follows a fatal Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crash in Karachi in May and more recently, the aviation minister claiming up to one-third of Pakistan’s commercial pilots hold “dubious” licenses, means that no Pakistani airlines can establish new services to the United States (US) or codeshare with US airlines.

    While the decision has effectively locked PIA out of the US, the ruling only impacts new services to the country. The national carrier does not fly across the Atlantic to the US and as far as can be ascertained, no US airline operates codeshare or interline agreements with PIA either.

    Longstanding security issues have thwarted PIA’s ambitions to access the US. While PIA had tentatively planned a service to begin between Islamabad and New York earlier this year, the downturn in travel derailed that. Now, safety issues are joining the list of concerns.

    It merits a mention that the decision on Thursday came despite Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan and the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) a day earlier having to face embarrassment at the hands of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that said all commercial pilot licences (CPL) and airline transport licences (ATPL) issued by the authority were genuine and validly issued.

    Earlier, the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) had suspended PIA operations as well, while several Pakistani pilots working with foreign airlines had also been grounded.

  • KYA BOLA? (Jul 16): ‘Noon League ne PIA ko naa baich kar ghalti ki’ to ‘Benazir ki waseehat’

    KYA BOLA? (Jul 16): ‘Noon League ne PIA ko naa baich kar ghalti ki’ to ‘Benazir ki waseehat’

    Following are some of the best snippets from Urdu newspapers on July 16, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.

    ‘Noon League ne PIA ko naa baich kar ghalti ki‘

    According to Daily Jang, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart Khawaja Asif has admitted in a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Privatisation that“Noon League nay pichley daur mein PIA ko naa baich kr ghalti ki”.

    Meanwhile, managing director of PIA Investments Limited told the meeting that United States (US) President Donald Trump was interested in buying the national carrier-owned luxury hotel in New York.

    ‘Court aur Wazir-e-Azam kay muawin‘

    Daily Dunya has reported that Islamabad High Court (IHC), while hearing a petition filed against special assistants to the prime minister (SAPMs), has remarked that, “Wazir-e-Azam ka muawin wohi ho sakta hai jo mutalka shaubay [department] ka maahir ho.” The court ruled that if an answer was not submitted at the next hearing, unilateral action will be taken.

    ‘Benazir ki waseehat’

    It has been reported by Daily Dunya that Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has demanded that the late former PM Benazir Bhutto’s will be presented before the nation.

    As a war of words continues between ruling PTI’s leaders from Sindh and members of the PPP-led provincial government, Zaidi has alleged that a handwritten “unverified” note was presented by the PPP to hand the reins of the party to the family of the deceased PM while “fooling the nation” and “ruining Sindh”.

  • Trump interested in buying PIA-owned luxurious New York hotel govt wanted to sell

    Trump interested in buying PIA-owned luxurious New York hotel govt wanted to sell

    United States (US) President Donald Trump had expressed interest in acquiring the Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) Roosevelt Hotel in New York, it was revealed on Wednesday during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Privatisation.

    The 19-storey hotel with 1,025 rooms plus allied facilities in New York City, with some of the suites being among the most luxurious available in Manhattan, is considered a valuable property that also carries cultural significance for Pakistan.

    tandingg on the corner of 45th Street and Madison Avenue, in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the hotel bears a quintessentially American name in honour of former United States (US) President Theodore Roosevelt, who had previously been the governor of New York State.

    According to The News, the managing director of PIA Investments Limited informed the lawmakers that Trump had expressed interest in acquiring the iconic hotel in the past and was “still keen on purchasing it”.

    “The government has tried 10 times to sell the hotel,” he added.

    Briefing the members, Privatisation Minister Muhammad Mian Soomro said the government was not selling the property but rather planning to lease it out or work in a joint venture with the private sector.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif said that the parliament should be taken into confidence over the privatisation matter.

    “We are not against privatisation but we must wait for a better time to get a good price,” Asif added.

    “Don’t make a decision now and instead wait. Right now, neither PIA would be sold nor the hotel.”

    Earlier this month, opposition parties had slammed the ruling party when it was reported that the government is considering selling the Roosevelt Hotel.

    The plan was shelved due to stiff opposition and the coronavirus pandemic.

    In a meeting on July 2, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) decided that the Roosevelt Hotel would be run under a joint venture with a third party.

    The said hotel was acquired by PIA Investment Limited on lease during the year 1979 with an option to purchase the property. PIA had purchased the hotel against $36.5 million against a demand of $59.5 million by contesting a lawsuit against the owner in 1999. The Interstate Hotel and Resort is managing the Roosevelt Hotel since 1997.

  • New heights of friendship: Turkish Airlines to manage Pakistan’s fruit, vegetable exports after PIA ban

    New heights of friendship: Turkish Airlines to manage Pakistan’s fruit, vegetable exports after PIA ban

    As Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight operations in Europe remain suspended, Turkish Airlines has offered its services to transport fruit and vegetable exports to other countries, Profit reported.

    According to fruit and vegetable exporters, Turkish Airlines will charge lower freight charges for transport of Pakistani fruits and vegetables to England, Germany and other western countries and has assured that it will facilitate the promotion of the same. 

    Earlier the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) imposed a six-month ban on PIA’s flight operations to Europe after reports emerged that several PIA pilots held dubious flying licences. 

    Among other issues, the ban created problems for the export of Pakistani fruits and vegetables. In this regard,  the Pakistani Embassy in Istanbul Commercial Counselor Bilal Khan Pasha met with Turkish Airlines Chairman Ilker Ayci who assured that Turkish Airlines will resume its flight operation in Pakistan and will help in the export of fruits and vegetables to the European Union (EU).

    Moreover, a delegation of exporters led by Waheed Ahmed, the head of All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) met with Turkish Airlines General Manager (GM) Gurhan Sozen.

    READ: Embarrassment for aviation minister as Civil Aviation Authority says all licences issued are real

    According to Waheed Ahmed, PIA had recently reduced freight charges in order to assist exporters to reduce cost of export shipments, however, after the six month ban on PIA, exporters will have to use the services of foreign airlines who might charge higher freight charges.

    According to exporters, during the meeting with Turkish Airlines GM the need for reduction in freight charges and provision of special handling facilities for perishable cargo to facilitate the export of Pakistani fruits and vegetables to Europe, the UK and Canada was stressed.

  • Embarrassment for aviation minister as Civil Aviation Authority says all licences issued are real

    Embarrassment for aviation minister as Civil Aviation Authority says all licences issued are real

    Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan and the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday had to face embarrassment at the hands of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that said all commercial pilot licences (CPL) and airline transport licences (ATPL) issued by the authority were genuine and validly issued.

    Pakistani pilots working with foreign airlines as well as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have now for weeks been unable to discharge their duties amid bars by the international community following the aviation minister’s claims of dubious licences.

    His statements on the floor of the National Assembly had led to grounding of several Pakistani pilots working with foreign airlines besides the suspension of the national carrier’s operations in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) as well as the United States (US) over safety concerns.

    READ: US bans PIA

    According to reports, the Aviation Division secretary, who is also serving as the director general (DG) of Pakistan CAA has told the DG of Civil Aviation Regulation of Oman that all CPL and ATPL licenses issued by his office are genuine and validly issued.

    In a letter, a copy of which is available with The Current, he wrote that his office had cleared or verified 96 pilots licenses out of 104 names received from various CAAs or foreign airlines. This includes the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Vietnam Airlines, Bahrain Air, Civil Aviation Malaysia, Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department and Turkish Airlines.

    READ: Army to finally launch Askari Airline?

    The remaining licenses will be cleared by next week, he maintained and added that the matter had been “misconstrued and incorrectly highlighted” by media as well as netizens on social media.

  • KYA BOLA? (Jul 15): ‘Horn Bajaao Hukmaraan Jagaao’ to ‘Jiyalo ko cheeni choro ko jawaab dena khoob aata hai’

    KYA BOLA? (Jul 15): ‘Horn Bajaao Hukmaraan Jagaao’ to ‘Jiyalo ko cheeni choro ko jawaab dena khoob aata hai’

    Following are some of the best snippets from Urdu newspapers on July 15, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.

    ‘Horn Bajaao Hukmaraan Jagaao’

    According to Daily Dunya, the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators has become part of traders’ protest movement “Horn Bajaao Hukmaraan Jagaao”. Launching the movement, trade union member Naeem Mir said,“Agar hukoomat horn se naa jaagi tou taajir baraadari hukoomat ka band bajaa de gi”.

    ‘Faisal Vawda kis ka kis se manaazra krwa rahay hain’

    According to Daily Dunya, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has accepted Federal Minister Faisal Vawda’s challenge of a debate on the economy. PML-N stalwart and former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair has said that Dr Waqar Masood, who is Pakistan’s longest-running secretary of finance, was part of the PML-N government’s economic team for five years.

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s finance aide Hafeez Shaikh, on the other hand, was a part of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government. “Faisal Vawda kis ka kis se manaazra krwa rahay hain!” he maintained.

    ‘Jiyalo ko cheeni choro ko jawaab dena khoob aata hai’

    Daily Jang has reported that Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab, in response to Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan’s verbal attacks against PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, has said that“Jiyalo ko cheeni choro ko jawaab dena khoob aata hai,”  taking a dig at the government members in Punjab over their alleged involvement in activities that had led to a sugar crisis earlier this year.