Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday night paid a surprise visit to the coronavirus ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, to review the conditions there. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Khan met with the patients and inquired about their health.
The premier particularly inquired about the facilities being provided to COVID-19 patients at the hospital, particularly the availability of oxygen and medicines.
وزیراعظم عمران خان کا پیمز ہاسپٹل میں کورونا وارڈ کا اچانک دورہ – مریضوں سے ملاقات کی ان کی خیریت دریافت کی اور ان کو دی جانے والی سہولیات کا جائزہ لیا – وزیراعظم بغیر اطلاع دیئے اچانک نک پمز اسپتال پہنچ گئے@ImranKhanPTIpic.twitter.com/dhiOOT5Tke
Addressing the staff at the hospital, the PM said that since healthcare workers are the country’s frontline fighters, they should also take care of themselves apart from taking care of the patients.
The premier also inquired from doctors and the staff if all of them have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
He said that the third wave of the coronavirus is more lethal than the previous two ones, adding that people should follow the SOPs to protect themselves from the virus
The virus has so far claimed 19,106 lives in Pakistan, while the number of total cases in the country has reached 864,557.
U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday imposed new travel restrictions on India in light of the COVID-19 epidemic, barring most non-U.S. citizens from entering the United States.
The new restrictions, which take effect on Tuesday, May 4 at 12:01 am ET (0401 GMT), are on the advice of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and were imposed because “the magnitude and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic” in India was “surging,” the White House said.
Biden on Friday signed a proclamation implementing the restrictions, which were first reported by Reuters.
The proclamation said India “accounts for over one-third of new global cases” and added that “proactive measures are required to protect the nation’s public health from travelers entering the United States” from India.
In January, Biden issued a similar ban on most non-U.S. citizens entering the country who have recently been in South Africa. He also reimposed an entry ban on nearly all non-U.S. travelers who have been in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland and 26 countries in Europe that allow travel across open borders. China and Iran are also both covered by the policy.
The policy means most non-U.S. citizens who have been in one of the stated countries within the last 14 days are not eligible to travel to the United States. Permanent U.S. residents and family members and some other non-U.S. citizens, such as students, are exempted.
The decision to impose the latest travel restrictions came about quickly and was only reached in the last 24 hours, sources said.
The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.
Second only to the United States in total infections, India has reported more than 300,000 new cases daily for nine days in a row, hitting another global record of 386,452 on Friday.
Total deaths have surpassed 200,000 and cases are nearing 19 million – nearly 8 million since February alone – as virulent new strains have combined with “super-spreader” events such as political rallies and religious festivals.
Medical experts say real numbers may be five to 10 times higher than the official tally.
Other countries have imposed similar travel restrictions on India, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Singapore, while Canada, Hong Kong and New Zealand have suspended all commercial travel with India.
On Wednesday, the White House said the United States was sending supplies worth more than $100 million to India to help it fight the COVID-19 surge.
The supplies include oxygen cylinders, N95 masks and rapid diagnostic tests. The United States also has redirected its own order of AstraZeneca (AZN.L) manufacturing supplies to India, which will allow it to make over 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the White House.
Nearly all travelers to the United States by air must show proof of a negative coronavirus test or recovery from COVID-19.
In recent weeks, the White House and U.S. agencies have begun holding conversations about how to eventually unwind the policy as vaccination campaigns are rolling out and cases are declining in some countries.
U.S. international air travel remains down 60% from pre-COVID-19 levels, while U.S. domestic air travel is down 40%, according to industry trade group Airlines for America.
U.S. airlines and travel groups have urged the White House to set benchmarks for the eventual loosening of restrictions.
A woman on Sunday asked Prime Minister Imran Khan the question that many have only been desiring too amid harsh economic conditions.
“Ghabrana nahi hai [do not panic],” the premier has time and again said since taking reins of the country, promising the nation of better days if they stay strong during the journey to “Naya Pakistan”.
However, people have been, for a long time now, being taking digs at the government and dragging the very popular phrase through the mud as they lose faith in the incumbent government’s ability to bring change.
“The situation is worsening by the minute. Inflation is out of control. Should we run our households or pay for our kids’ education?” a woman asked PM Imran on live call during an interactive session with the public.
She went on to say that Ramzan was just around the corner and rupee was also strengthening against the dollar but the people had been provider no relief.
“Please fulfil your promises or allow us to panic,” she said, leaving the premier cracking.
Seemingly controlling his laughter, PM Imran, in response, said that controlling inflation was the topmost priority of the government.
https://youtu.be/6_E9q3hgvVI
Addressing the caller by her name, he said, “Ambreen, you need not be frightened [over inflation] because the government is working towards tackling this problem.”
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When asked by another caller what the government plans to do in the light of rising incidents of rape and sexual violence, especially against children, he said there were some fights that governments and legislation alone couldn’t win and needed the society’s help.
He said it was important for societies to protect themselves against vulgarity and the situation was much worse than what made its way to media. He said when he went to the UK, during the ’70s to play cricket, the “sex, drugs and rock n roll” culture was taking off.
The premier added nowadays, divorce rates “have gone up by as much as 70% due to vulgarity in that society”.
He said the whole concept of modesty in Islam has a purpose to it which is to “keep temptation in check”.
The premier spoke about how Bollywood followed the trends of Hollywood and now, the “same is happening there”, explaining why he brought the show Ertugrul to Pakistani screens.
Earlier, he said prices of vegetables and other food items were on the rise as the farmers who supplied them wanted their products to be sold at high prices in the market.
“The middlemen are making a lot of money from this,” he said.
The PM said his government was working towards an ingenuous solution through which they are aiming to connect the primary producers of these items to the final consumers.
He said the masses will see the positive effects of the rupee strengthening against the US dollar, adding that the local currency’s performance had already led to a decline in prices of diesel.
The premier spoke against “hoarders and mafias”, saying they were responsible for the hoarding of necessary food items in the country.
“For the first time, we are going after mafias in Pakistan,” he said. “The FIA completed its inquiry for the first time to bring to everyone’s knowledge how a few people hoard basic food items so their prices skyrocket and they make profits out of it,” he said.
He also revealed the government was working towards revolutionising the agriculture sector so Pakistan is self-sufficient in basic food items and other products.
During the broadcast, the premier also spoke of his government’s determination to root out corruption, shared details of upcoming education and health sector reforms, besides lashing out at the opposition.
Teammates of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan have defended his move to defer cotton and sugar trade plans with India as the PM after approving the same as the commerce minister earlier.
Defending the move, National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf said that the premier wear two hats as both the commerce minister and the chief executive of the country.
Imran Khan, the minister in-charge of commerce and trade, approved the trade with India. Later, he opposed his own proposal as the prime minister.
"He may be the same person but he wears two different hats in this case," says his NSA Moeed Yousuf.pic.twitter.com/EipZoUFKiI
When asked if Imran, as the commerce minister, believed the proposal should be forwarded to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) for approval, but differed on his own idea as the PM, the NSA didn’t respond.
“I am not the bureaucrat here to determine the technicalities,” he said, adding that it was just irrelevant.
Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry also went for a similar choice of words, saying that the premier “wore two hats”.
“As the PM chairing the federal cabinet meeting he also has to take into account the recommendations of other stakeholders, including the foreign, defence and interior ministries,” the minister maintained.
The statements come days after the federal cabinet rubbished plans to resume cotton and white sugar import from India despite Commerce Minister Imran Khan’s proposal approved by ECC headed by Finance Minister Hammad Azhar.
The federal cabinet chaired by PM Imran deferred the proposal despite improving Pakistan-India ties, saying New Delhi should first restore the autonomous status of the troubled disputed valley of Kashmir.
Pakistan trade deficit has increased by 97.6 per cent in March, Ministry of Commerce data showed on Thursday.
The deficit has increased from $1.502bn to $2.968bn. On a month-on-month basis, the trade deficit grew by 17.77pc.
The trade gap is widening since December 2020. In February, it swelled by 23.93pc to $2.52bn against $2.03bn over the corresponding months of the last year.
Commerce Advisor to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Abdul Razak Dawood tweeted: “The imports grew to $5,313 million in March which is mainly due to increased imports of petroleum, wheat, soybean, machinery, raw material, chemicals, mobiles, fertilisers, tyres, antibiotics, and vaccines.” The surge in trade deficit is mainly led by higher growth in imports with lower growth in exports in March 2021.
The imports in March 2021 grew to USD 5,313 million which is mainly due to increased imports of Petroleum, Wheat, Soy Bean, Machinery, Raw Material & Chemicals, Mobiles, Fertilizers, Tyres and Antibiotics & Vaccines in March 2021.
The decline in imports in the last two years had provided breathing space to the government to manage external accounts despite a downward trend in exports. But, rebounding imports would likely create pressures on the external side.
It seems that the rise in imports will put lots of pressure on the incumbent government. However, the growth in remittances will balance against the import bills.
Unofficially, it is believed that the current account deficit in FY21 will remain in the range of $4bn to $6bn by end of June.
According to Mr Dawood, the growth in exports in March is the highest in the last ten years. This is also the first time since 2011 that exports have crossed $2bn the mark for six consecutive months.
The Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet had allowed the import of cotton and cotton yarn from India, but the decision was reversed one day after by the federal cabinet chaired by PM Imran.
The stakeholders had warned that export orders in hand will eventually be diverted to rival countries if the cotton yarn is not made available in the required quantity.
Pakistan has performed poorly with respect to legal and practical protections for the right to freedom of expression of its citizens during 2020, according to a new assessment report published by Media Matters for Democracy.
The Pakistan Freedom of Expression Report 2020 was launched through a webinar on Wednesday.
Speaking at the report launch, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan Androulla Kaminara said the report provides a comprehensive analysis of the state of freedom of expression in Pakistan and highlights some concerning trends.
“Freedom of Expression is enshrined in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. It is also one of the important aspects of Pakistan’s GSP plus commitment to upholding the international Human Rights Conventions and a key priority in the Strategic Engagement Plan between EU and Pakistan.”
“As this report confirms, the situation of journalists and documentation of threats they face through attacks, intimidation and harassment is particularly concerning. Disinformation is another area of concern, and one, which the European Union is working to address both at home and abroad. Misleading or false information can put lives in danger. It is crucial to resolutely counter disinformation with transparent, timely and fact-based communication and thus reinforce the resilience of societies,” she said.
The report documents the situation of freedom of expression in Pakistan with a new index based on six dimensions namely the legal environment, press freedom, digital expression, pluralism, the socioeconomic and political situation.
Pakistan scored low on all six dimensions to provide an overall score of only 30 points out of a total of 100 points on the assessment index. This cumulative score fell in the range of “poor” protections for freedom of expression in the country.
The report found that during the year 2020 Pakistan’s media and Internet regulatory authorities continued to exert arbitrary legal and regulatory restrictions on speech and online content, by ordering bans, suspensions, and advisories against social media apps, entertainment content, and news discussions of social and political issues.
Journalists remained vulnerable to physical, legal, and digital threats in the absence of long-awaited legislation on journalists’ safety, according to the study.
The report found that at least eight individuals connected with the media were killed, at least 36 journalists were attacked in the line of duty, 10 were arrested, and as many as 23 instances of arbitrary detentions in connection with news reporting and online expression were recorded across Pakistan during the year.
Women journalists were especially targeted with coordinated online attacks as they reported on political issues and the government’s pandemic response.
The report noted that the coronavirus pandemic intensified the challenges to freedom of expression and access to information in Pakistan.
Internet users were consistently exposed to disinformation while journalists reporting on the pandemic faced physical safety risks and restrictions on access to information sources, and many young citizens without Internet services found themselves abandoned as education systems shifted online, according to the report.
With Senate chairman vote approaching, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has brought to the fore a senator who claims to have received calls to support the ruling party’s candidate for the slot, Sadiq Sanjrani.
Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim, while talking to media on Thursday, said that he received multiple telephone calls from officials of key state institutions to cast his vote in favour of Sanjrani in the election to be held through secret ballot on Friday.
He was accompanied by former prime minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbas, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Ahsan Iqbal.
“I received the first call on March 6 but I could not attend it. Later, calls were also made on March 7 and March 9. I attended the last call when I was told to support the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) candidate,” he claimed.
The PML-N senator said that he had been nominated in a four-year-old case to pressurise him, adding that he would continue to support Nawaz Sharif come what may.
The presser came shortly after PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said that her party’s senators were being contacted and told to not support opposition alliance, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), in the forthcoming elections for chairman and deputy chairman of the upper house of the parliament.
A circuit bench of the Sindh High Court has come up with a rather novel solution to curb dog biting incidents in Sindh.
According to Justice Aftab Ahmed, the lawmakers of the respective area will be suspended in case of a dog biting incidents.
Responding to the judge’s remarks, the public prosecutor said that MPAs have nothing to do with dog biting incidents. To which the judge replied that it is the job of the MPAs to protect their constituents.
The judge went on to add that the MPAs would also be barred from voting in the Senate election over the dog biting incidents. It also warned that the concerned officers would be penalised and their salaries would be suspended if such incidents continued to happen.
During the hearing, the government officers also presented reports on which the court expressed discontent. The high court adjourned the hearing till March 16.
In October, the SHC bench expressed displeasure over rising dog-bite incidents in the province and ordered that FIR be registered against the concerned municipal officer if any case would be reported.
A Karachi resident named Kamran Iqbal has sued the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) over low gas pressure in his area.
According to details, the SSGC failed to resolve the low gas pressure issue, which is causing problems, despite a number of complaints submitted by Iqbal over the issue.
The citizen requested the court to take action against the SSGC for its failure to provide a stable supply of gas to the citizens. In today’s hearing, a lawyer submitted his paper to represent the SSGC in the court.
The court after summoning a detailed reply from SSGC’s counsel postponed the hearing of the case till March 4.
Javed Afridi, who brought Morris Garages (MG) into Pakistani market has hit out at the automobile giants in the country after the federal investigation launched to probe the import pricing of complete built-up (CBU) units of MG.
“For decades, Pakistani automobile consumers have been exploited by cartels that cornered them with low quality, boring models at exorbitant prices. Plus, buyers had to pay billions of rupees to get delivery of the very vehicles the price of which they had already paid,” the KP-based businessman said in a post on his social media accounts.
For decades, Pakistani automobile consumers have been exploited by cartels that cornered them with low quality, boring models at exorbitant prices. Plus, buyers had to pay billions of rupees to get delivery of the very vehicles the price of which they had already paid. 1/3
“As new entrants bring in exciting new models at far lower prices, instead of competition, we expect maligning campaigns and baseless rumours. While we know that competition is an unfamiliar phenomenon in Pakistan’s automobile industry, we invite everyone to join in a fair competition to serve Pakistani consumers with a bigger and better variety of vehicles at lower prices,” he added.
As new entrants bring in exciting new models at far lower prices, instead of competition, we expect maligning campaigns and baseless rumours. 2/3
While we know that competition is an unfamiliar phenomenon in Pakistan's automobile industry, we invite everyone to join in a fair competition to serve Pakistani consumers with a bigger and better variety of vehicles at lower prices. 3/3
The statement of Javed Afridi came after a local newspaper claimed that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was reportedly investigating a mega under-invoicing scam showing the involvement of Afridi company.
According to media reports, the company have imported over 500 complete built-up (CBU) units from Shanghai China, predominantly MG GS Model, their highest specification model.
The declared customs value of $11,632 which is too low. This same model is being sold at a price above $27,000 in other countries.
“The under-invoicing evidence has also been shared with other line Ministries and agencies for a thorough probe as this is inflicting billions of rupees financial loss the national exchequer,” the report said.
With over 400 CBU units already imported, the company has allegedly evaded over Rs1 billion in duty and taxes so far.
Just last month, MG Pakistan launched two more cars, MG ZS and MG ZS EV following a positive response from the local consumer market.
Over the weekend, Afridi had teased the fans by standing next to the MG 5 sedan. However, it is yet to be confirmed if the car will be coming to Pakistan’s market any time soon.
