Pakistan has received the final tranche of $1.1 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of its $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced on Tuesday.
The disbursement follows the IMF’s successful completion of its final review of Pakistan’s economic reform programme supported by the 9-month SBA.
The SBP said in its statement that the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) of 828 million, equivalent to approximately $1.1 billion, had been received on April 29, 2024, and would be reflected in the central bank’s foreign exchange reserves for the week ending May 3, 2024.
As of April 19, the central bank’s foreign exchange reserves stood at $7.981 billion.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the latest disbursement, stating that it would contribute to greater economic stability in Pakistan.
He highlighted that the SBA was critical in preventing the country from defaulting on its external liabilities.
Pakistan’s government is now focused on securing a larger and longer Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to achieve sustained macroeconomic stability.
The prime minister has already signalled his intention to pursue another IMF programme to ensure the continuity of economic growth and fiscal discipline.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Saudi Arabia.
During the meeting, the prime minister reiterated his government’s commitment to implementing structural reforms, maintaining strict fiscal discipline, and following prudent policies that would support macroeconomic stability and sustainable economic growth.
Pakistan is seeking additional support to maintain the economic gains made during the current SBA and to continue its positive economic growth trajectory.
Zara Noor Abbas is currently in Lahore, enjoying quality time with her family. Recently, she gave her brother Ahmed a stylish makeover using hair extensions. Ahmed Abbas Gill shared a delightful video showcasing his hilarious new hairdo courtesy of Zara who described it as a cool look, comparing him to a rockstar. The heartwarming video is winning over Zara’s fans.
Check out the sweet video shared by Ahmed Abbas Gill on his Instagram:
Imran Abbas is recognized as not only one of Pakistan’s talented actors but also as one of its most handsome men.
He recently appeared as a guest on Ramiz Raja’s show, where he addressed questions that intrigued everyone, including his continuous inclusion in the ‘World’s Most Handsome Men’ list from 2018 to 2021.
“No, no, it’s just an expression, there’s nothing like that. All our heroines are very beautiful,” he said. When asked about the ongoing presence of Pakistanis in such lists, Imran Abbas said, “It still happens, but I believe its more of a gift from Allah. However, I would be happier when people say this person is good for something more than just looks.”
Imran also discussed whether he believes that beauty is crucial for falling in love. He said “When you experience love, you perceive that person as the most beautiful in the world. You begin to believe that no one else can be more beautiful than that person,’ showing the profound impact of love.”
The controversy of Avicenna Medical College where the students had levelled serious allegations against the chairman and college administration has taken a turn as the Principal cum Chairman Abdul Waheed Sheikh has agreed to the demands of the students.
Background
The matter of the medical college being a torture cell has been in the news ever since 2018 when The Express Tribune reported a viral video of a man destroying the cell phones of the students and the college turning into a prison for the young learners. As recently as two days ago (April 28), following the news of a student Mahnoor Nadeem allegedly committing suicide because of the strict policies of the college while it was claimed she died of a heart attack, the matter was all over social media. Netizens expressed concerns over the claims of torture, heavy fines, and verbal abuse and so it got the momentum.
Yesterday (Monday) students and parents launched a protest against the torturous policies of the college and as it got media attention, chairman Sheikh came out to address the protesting students who kept on chanting, “We want Justice”.
He assured them of compensation for the grievances of the past. He started off by saying that “I will be more sympathetic in the future”. Moreover, he said, “Mein apki har bat sunon ga, taqreeban manon ga” which can be translated as, “I will listen to you and will almost accept everything as well.” Later, while addressing the crowd, Sheikh announced that the “pink list” policy of punishing students will be terminated. Additionally, there shall be no fines in the future and the policy of issuing a leave will be in accordance with the monitoring body of UHS (University of Health Sciences). He promised the students that no action would be taken against those who are protesting.
In a video released by students on YouTube channel Digital Diary 7127, it can be seen how the fine policy and the clause of action against the students was deliberated with the Chairman and then he finally agrees to it.
Professor M.N Tabassum, who was allegedly fired from King Edward Medical University on allegations of sexual harassment, will not be involved in any sort of teaching and academic activities along with the discipline committee.
The Current got a hold of the exclusive footage of the Chairman talking to the media where the reporter asks him about being known for using abusive language with female students, but he denies it altogether. When he is asked about physical torture and viral videos he said, “It used to happen in the past, probably before 2015 but it does not happen anymore.” The students behind the camera can be heard saying, “Woh mukar gaya hai” meaning “He has backtracked.”
Response of the students
The same student who shared the video with The Current on the condition of confidentiality explained how fellow students are reacting to it. Do you think the matter is resolved now, The Current asked. “For now, yes, but in the long run, I don’t know. Because the thing that has been going on for so long and on such big scale… it can’t be resolved just like this.”
“According to many students we might have gotten this off our backs but we will still face the consequences,” the student expressed concern.
She also alleged how the administration is making crores of rupees with fines and exempting them will be a huge loss for them which is highly unlikely for them to let go of.
Social media reactions
Netizens reacted to the video in which the Chairman is pledging to address the students’ demand. Hmad Nawaz wrote, “Concern after being exposed is always hollow.” She urged the people in authority who can even remotely help with “the cause to initiate a governmental inquiry into Avicenna Medical College’s torture story.”
Meet Abdul Waheed Sheikh, an Ex-Army man, now running a prison called Avicenna Medical College who came up with grotesque punishment concepts like “pink-lists”, shaving heads, cutting clothes, protecting sexual harassers. Concern after being exposed is always hollow. pic.twitter.com/72TPQrbxR1
As the whole protest ended with the students praying for the dead student, Mahnoor Nadeem, Dr Ahmad Rehan Khan on Twitter asked for the end of the mistreatment of the students by the college and “hold perpetrators responsible” before moving forward.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and England Cricket Board (ECB) has announced their squads for International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup.
India’s squad:
Rohit Sharma will be the captain of Indian team for the T20 World Cup.
Other players include Yeshaswi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sanju Simon (wicketkeeper), Shome Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yazvendra Chahal, Arsdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj.
England’s squad:
Jos Buttler will lead the England team in the T20 World Cup 2024 while the squad also includes veteran Moeen Ali.
Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingston, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley and Mark Wood have been included in the England squad.
Apart from this Jofra Archer made his comeback, he last represented England in March 2023.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is being jointly hosted by USA and West Indies and ICC has announced 3 venues in USA including New York, Florida and Texas for the matches.
Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry has denied leaving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and clarified that those who have left the party will rejoin in the future.
Fawad was speaking to journalists within the premises of the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi. Former PTI leader Shireen Mazari was also present in the premises as multiple party leaders were charged after May 9 instances.
Fawad also said while talking to the media that he appeared before the court in relation to the May 9 violent protests case. “When our turn comes, we will tell our story,” he said.
The former federal minister also suggested that PTI hold talks with all stakeholders, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehman.
Online ride-sharing service Uber has shut down its operations in Lahore almost a year and a half after shutting down its services in five major cities in Pakistan.
The company has sent an email to its customers to inform them of its sudden decision, which was announced without any prior warning.
The ride-sharing company did not reveal the reasons for its sudden decision to pull out of Lahore. However, Uber is offering a Careem discount as part of the compensation. Customers can enter the code LHR50 to get 50 percent off their next five rides on Cream.
Uber has sent an email to its customers in Lahore, saying, “We’ve made the decision to cease operating the Uber app in Pakistan. Our subsidiary brand Careem will continue to operate, with the Careem app offering ride-hailing services across Pakistan.”
In 2022, Uber had stopped its services in five major cities in Pakistan including Islamabad and Karachi.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on Tuesday said “Did the world not know who was running Pakistan then[in 2018]? I gave it in writing that General Faiz Hameed was behind it[the Faizabad Dharna].”
A six-member bench, headed by Qazi Faez Isa, resumed the hearing of the suo motu case on the Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges’ letter accusing agencies of meddling in judicial matters.
The bench comprises Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan.
CJP said, “We were taken off the case through a judicial order and something like this hadn’t happened in the entire history of the world which our Supreme Court did.”
Furthermore, Isa also said that “others” will become powerful till Parliament becomes strong.
Aroob Jatoi, wife of famous YouTuber Ducky Bhai, has spoken up about a leaked video that appears to show her in the nude, which has been widely shared on the internet.
Taking to the social media platform X (previously known as Twitter), she shared her disappointment about how people are using deepfake technology to invade women’s privacy. She emphasized how serious the situation is, saying, “It is truly disheartening to see how deepfake technology is being misused to invade the privacy of individuals.”
Aroob Jatoi bravely admitted that there’s a fake video of her, highlighting the importance of stopping the misuse of artificial intelligence. She called for quick action to make sure everyone stays safe and secure. Ducky Bhai too had posted a video message on his social media. He promised to find the people making these deepfake videos.
He said he would give one million rupees to anyone who could give real information and the original link to the video.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has cleared former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) reference on Tuesday. The court declared all other suspects innocent in the same reference.
Abbasi was arrested by NAB in 2019 for allegedly causing a loss of 21 billion rupees to the national exchequer me
The NAB inquiry revealed that M/S Engro was awarded the LNG terminal at Karachi Port and contracts for LNG regasification by Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) through non-transparent practices. Both Abbasi and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif faced accusations of misusing their powers in awarding these LNG contracts.
Despite inquiries and accusations, Abbasi has maintained his innocence, stating that there were no irregularities in the LNG contract and stating the necessity of LNG exports in 2013.
