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Tag: Pakistan

  • Knitwear tops the list: Pakistan’s exports surge by 25.54%

    In the fiscal year 2023–24, Pakistan’s exports, denominated in rupees, experienced a notable 25.54 per cent increase during the first quarter (Q1) compared to the previous year, as per the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    Between July and September 2023, exports amounted to Rs2,013,533 million, marking a 25.54 per cent boost from the same period in the previous year, according to PBS’s provisional data.

    Looking at year-on-year figures, September 2023’s exports surged by 31.27 per cent, totaling Rs737,295 million, compared to Rs561,643 million in September 2022.

    On a month-to-month basis, exports grew by 6.06 per cent, reaching Rs737,295 million in August 2023.

    Key export categories in August 2023 included knitwear (Rs103,029 million), readymade garments (Rs74,608 million), bed wear (Rs69,234 million), cotton cloth (Rs51,891 million), oil seeds, nuts, and kernels (Rs46,571 million), cotton yarn (Rs33,815 million), rice and others (Rs32,324 million), towels (Rs25,116 million), rice basmati (Rs19,008 million), and miscellaneous articles, excluding towels and bed wear (Rs16,922 million).

    On the other hand, imports during July to September 2023 (FY2023-24) totaled Rs3,560,763 million, showing a decrease of 2.45 per cent compared to the same period in the previous year.

    In a year-on-year comparison, imports into Pakistan during September 2023 amounted to Rs1,189,167 million, a 2.52 per cent decline from September 2022.

    Month-on-month data indicated a 10.62 per cent increase in imports in September 2023 compared to August 2023.

    Key imported commodities in September 2023 included petroleum products (Rs162,087 million), petroleum crude (Rs146,179 million), liquefied natural gas (Rs75,331 million), palm oil (Rs61,388 million), plastic materials (Rs49,628 million), electric machinery and apparatus (Rs44,699 million), iron and steel (Rs44,191 million), mobile phones (Rs37,093 million), iron and steel scrap (Rs27,299 million), and pulses/leguminous vegetables (Rs22,208 million).

  • Positive change: Pakistan’s current account deficit shrinks to only $8 million

    Positive change: Pakistan’s current account deficit shrinks to only $8 million

    In September, Pakistan’s current account revealed a modest deficit of $8 million, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). 


    This marks a notable improvement from the $950 million deficit observed in July 2023, and a significant reduction compared to the $360 million deficit recorded in September of the previous year.

    To provide additional context, in July of this year, Pakistan faced a more substantial current account deficit of $809 million, the highest since October 2022, according to SBP data. 

    This figure, while lower than the $1.26 billion deficit in July 2022, sharply contrasts with June 2023 when the country enjoyed a surplus of $500 million in its current account.

    In terms of trade, central bank data shows that Pakistan’s exports of goods and services dipped to $2.654 billion in July 2023, down from $2.743 billion in July 2022. 

    Concurrently, total imports for July 2023 amounted to $5.03 billion, a decrease from the $6.07 billion recorded in the same period the previous year. In July of the preceding year, the trade balance in services registered a deficit of $32 million.

    Furthermore, there was a noticeable decline in worker remittances, with a year-on-year drop of 19.28 per cent. On a monthly basis, remittances decreased by 7.32 per cent to $2.027 billion.

  • Private airlines seize opportunity to charge high fares amid PIA flight disruptions

    Private airlines seize opportunity to charge high fares amid PIA flight disruptions

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the nation’s flagship carrier, is grappling with operational challenges caused by a shortage of fuel. 

    Concurrently, private airlines are capitalising on this situation for their own advantage.

    In light of the disruption in PIA’s flight operations, private airlines have swiftly increased their fares. Domestic flights are now priced at a range of Rs40,000 to Rs70,000, with Lahore-Karachi routes reaching as high as Rs49,000 per seat. 

    Meanwhile, one-way fares from Karachi to Islamabad are commanding prices between Rs55,000 and Rs61,000.

    This development follows a week of disruptions in PIA’s domestic flight schedule, resulting in a surge of intending passengers. A spokesperson for a private airline attributed the disparity in demand and supply to this sudden influx of travellers.

    Simultaneously, PIA’s financial predicament is deepening, with the cancellation of 35 domestic and foreign flights. The interruption in fuel supply has also caused significant delays for both domestic and international flights across the country. Airline administrations have scrambled to create new departure schedules for these affected flights.

    Regarding outstanding dues, the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) revealed that PIA owed Rs3.45 billion for fuel supplied between October 1 and 18, with an additional Rs195 million provided on the mentioned Thursday. 

    The total liabilities for the current month have reached Rs2.11 billion, compounding PIA’s existing debt of Rs26 billion accumulated over the years. A provisional agreement between PSO and PIA for daily fuel supply in exchange for daily payments has been established.

    The current turmoil in PIA’s flight operations is primarily attributable to the suspension of fuel supply by the Pakistan State Oil due to non-payment of dues. 

    According to Samaa, the suspension has impacted Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar, although international flights remain unaffected. PIA’s financial woes have already led to flight cancellations and delays, making the fuel supply suspension a significant setback for the struggling airline.

  • Sardiyon mein Passport office kab jaein?

    Sardiyon mein Passport office kab jaein?

    The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has revealed operational hours for passport offices nationwide during winter.

    From Monday to Thursday, passport offices will be open to the public from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, while on Fridays, the timing will be adjusted from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

    The schedule will be followed in all regional passport offices, executive passport offices, and service counters which will be processing passport applications and facilitating passport issuance.

  • ‘Last chance’ given by Lahore High Court to recover Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘Last chance’ given by Lahore High Court to recover Sheikh Rasheed

    Awami Muslim League leader and former federal interior minister, Sheikh Rasheed, was arrested from his house in Rawalpindi last month. On Thursday, the Lahore High Court gave the police one more week to find him.

    At today’s hearing, RPO Rawalpindi Syed Khurram Ali and CPO Rawalpindi Khalid Hamdani appeared before the court, seeking more time for recovering Sheikh Rasheed.

    “How much more time do you need for recovery, what have you done so far,” the court asked the cops. The RPO Rawalpindi said the officers responsible for the arrest were not present in the area on that day.

    “We need a bit more time for recovery,’ the RPO informed the court.

    “We are giving you a week’s time as the last chance to recover Sheikh Rasheed else the court will pass an order with a warning,” was the reply.

    The hearing was then adjourned until October 27.

  • Saba Hamid’s recollection of her feminist parents is what every Pakistani parent needs to hear

    Saba Hamid’s recollection of her feminist parents is what every Pakistani parent needs to hear

    Responsible parenting everyone needs to take some good notes from!

    Veteran actress Saba Hamid was a guest on Maliha Rehman’s Youtube channel where she opened up about her childhood, especially the impact her late father, journalist Hameed Akhtar, had on her.

    “My father was a feminist,” described the actress, adding that “He was a big believer in equal rights till his last breath from day one.”

    Speaking about her family, the ‘Jaisay Apki Marzi’ actress said she was one of four daughters and obe son but her parents never made them feel like there was inequality between them on the basis of gender. Hamid elaborated how chores around the house that are generally male-oriented like calling the plumber, or driving, were taught to all the siblings. Her parents also didn’t put any restrictions on their daughters while allowing their son to stay out late. “I was scolded just as much as he was if he stayed out late.”

    These teachings, Saba observed, made her assume that the world would treat men and women equally the way her father had. But soon grew to realise that it was the opposite.

    The ‘Laal Ishq’ actress further opened up about how liberated her mother was, not seeking permission from their father to go anywhere because he gave her liberation. She spoke about her mother announcing to their father that she was visiting her sister in Islamabad for a day, and his reaction being simply “okay”.

    “We grew up thinking this is how it is, this is the way the world is. It was quite later I realised you had to seek permission from a partner to go somewhere.”

    We are completely moved by Saba’s account of her father and his gentle parenting that made her into the fierce woman she is today- and also helped her raise two phenomenally powerful individuals like Meesha and Faris Shafi. We hope more parents, especially fathers to newborn daughters, watch this clip and take a lesson in how giving girls independence can help them later in life.

  • Pink toilets to be established across South Punjab

    Pink toilets to be established across South Punjab

    Pink toilets, a project to be implemented in public spaces in Bahawalpur along the highways, has now expanded to government offices across South Punjab.

    In the last leg of the project, 433 toilets are to be constructed in government offices throughout the region. They are designed specifically for working and visiting women-a major step towards promotion of gender equality and facilitation of women.

    The initiative commenced at the South Punjab Secretariat under the guidance of Additional Chief Secretary South Punjab, Captain (R) Saqib Zafar.

    The foundation was laid by the Secretary Services South Punjab, Engineer Amjad Shoaib Khan Tareen. He, while addressing the ceremony, informed the attendees about a survey that has been carried out to identify optimal locations for these facilities. The administration of all three divisions have been asked to complete the project by November 9.

    He stated that the project is proof of determination of the management towards the cause of ensuring the well being of women. It also signifies the commitment to the purpose of creating an inclusive and accommodating environment for the female workforce.

  • PTI ko chahiye sirf ‘ballay’ ka nishan

    PTI ko chahiye sirf ‘ballay’ ka nishan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to promptly release a detailed written order regarding the issuance of the party’s election symbol.

    Highlighting the importance of justice and fairness, Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, the party’s counsel, submitted an application on Wednesday to the Commission, emphasizing the necessity of a comprehensive decision in the interest of transparency.

    Senator Zafar underscored that the Election Commission’s earlier notice to the PTI, rejecting the allocation of the cricket bat symbol due to purported intra-party election discrepancies, was a misstep. He contended that the PTI had indeed conducted intra-party elections on June 9, 2022, in accordance with its constitution.

    According to Senator Zafar, the Election Commission’s subsequent decision on August 30, 2023, had validated the PTI’s stance on the legitimacy of the intra-party elections and had signaled the allocation of the bat symbol.

    However, despite the Commission’s initial commitment to issue a detailed decision following the verbal announcement, the order had not been provided even after 41 days.

    “PTI is the largest political party in the country, which is contesting the upcoming elections. Not issuing a detailed decision even after 41 days is a clear violation of fundamental rights, including articles 4, 9, 10A, 15, 16, 17 and 26 of the Constitution,” he said.

    Ali Zafar insisted that according to the Constitution, ECP was bound to hold free, fair, impartial, and transparent elections, while avoiding detailed decisions was a deviation from this constitutional mandate.

    He further added that under the Constitution of Pakistan, the ECP was bound to organize and conduct the election in a manner that was honest, just, fair, and in accordance with the law, but the non-issuance of the detailed written order was contrary to this.

    “The entire world is watching the proceedings of the ECP and the delay in the decision is unnecessarily creating contrary false rumors as if the decision orally announced on Aug 30, 2023, is going to be varied,” he said.

  • Women’s police station in Rawalpindi rocked with allegations of theft

    Women’s police station in Rawalpindi rocked with allegations of theft

    A female constable working at a women’s police station has reportedly accused the station house officer (SHO) of theft and blackmailing staff.

    The spokesperson for the police, on the other hand, has deemed the complaint baseless allegations to dodge accountability.

    The complaint lodged by Lady Constable Anita Naseem states that a woman named Arisha Khalid met SHO Irum Khanam to submit an application. At the time of her visit, she lost her purse.

    CCTV footage shows SHO Irum Khanam taking money from the purse and putting it away under a blue chair.

    According to the report, since SHO Irum Khanam was mindful of the camera, she pressured Anita Naseem to keep hush about the incident and threatened her. It is also, allegedly, not the first time for SHO Khanam to take money from others.

    Apart from violating departmental rules, the complainant said that she has been subjected to psychological suffering.

    An inquiry into the matter is under way with the Headquarters SP leading the investigation. The initial findings of the inquiry did not support the accusations against the SHO.

  • ‘Election and democracy halted for one person’s return’: Bilawal takes swipe at Nawaz

    ‘Election and democracy halted for one person’s return’: Bilawal takes swipe at Nawaz

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari made thinly veiled references to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif while addressing a public gathering held in connection with the 16th anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy, outside Bilawal House in Karachi.

    He said on Wednesday that the country’s constitution, election, and democracy were halted for “one person’s return.”

    Despite being partners in the last government and demanding the former three-time prime minister’s return, the PPP has kept raising concerns that Nawaz might get “special relief”.

    Nawaz will return to Pakistan on Saturday (October 21) and has been granted protective bail till October 24 in Avenfield and Al-Azizia case. Arrest warrants in Toshakhana case have also been suspended till October 24.

    “Our previous allies will have to acknowledge that delaying elections will not ‘give respect to vote’, rather disrespect it,” Bilawal said during a public rally in Karachi, hitting out at the PML-N, whose slogan has been “vote ko izzt do (give respect to the sanctity of vote)”.

    The PPP chairman also said that he wants to end the politics of divide and abuse, adding that if politicos keep fighting amongst themselves, the country will not progress.

    “We can swallow the ‘bitter pill’ [of holding elections] in more than 90 days only when the election commission announces a date for the polls,” he said.

    He called for holding elections, saying only people had the right to choose their leaders and make decisions for their future.

    “We have to leave politics of abuses and divide behind. We need new leadership… a leadership that is not stuck in the past but thinks about the future. We don’t want 90s’ Pakistan or 2017’s Pakistan. We want today’s Pakistan… Pakistan of 2023… a modern Pakistan,” he added.

    “The tenure of [coalition] government of the last 16 months taught us that Pakistan cannot be run from London,” he said.

    In view of the skyrocketing inflation and depleting economic reserves, the PPP leader demanded that relief should be given to the common man instead of the elite.