Current Final

Tag: Pakistan

  • ‘I am not just hopeful, I am certain’: Kakar on elections

    ‘I am not just hopeful, I am certain’: Kakar on elections

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has confirmed that general elections will be held in the next three to four months, adding that polls are “certain”.

    To a question about his plan of action if the caretaker Prime Minister gets an extension, he told a local TV station that he could see the country going to polls in the next three to four months, The News reported on Wednesday.

    “I think within a few months… a few months can be translated into three, three-and-half or four…that needs to be seen…this will conclude and we will go to the electoral process,” he commented.

    On asking the same question on elections, he replied, “I am not just hopeful; rather, I am certain”.

    He stated that because of the short time, the caretaker government is giving priority to policy matters to make the journey of the future government smoother.

  • Rising debt levels: Pakistan’s national debt surpasses Rs61 trillion

    Rising debt levels: Pakistan’s national debt surpasses Rs61 trillion

    The federal government has witnessed a substantial increase in its total debt, which has surged to nearly Rs62 trillion. This significant escalation is primarily attributed to the government’s strategic borrowing from both domestic and foreign sources, a measure aimed at covering the fiscal deficit.

    According to The News, data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reveals that as of July 2023, the total debt of the government stands at Rs61.75 trillion. This figure reflects a substantial year-on-year increase of 22.11 per cent, compared to Rs50.57 trillion recorded in July 2022. Furthermore, on a month-on-month basis, the government’s debt exhibited a 1.49 per cent increase from Rs60.84 trillion in June 2023.

    The surge in the debt burden can be predominantly attributed to the government’s reliance on domestic and foreign borrowing mechanisms to address fiscal deficits.

    Breaking down the composition of the debt, data from the central bank highlights that a significant portion of Rs39.02 trillion is domestically sourced, representing a notable year-on-year growth of 24.08 per cent. This domestic debt comprises Rs29.59 trillion in long-term debt and Rs9.29 trillion in short-term debt. The remaining Rs22.73 trillion is external in nature.

    By the close of July 2023, the government’s long-term debt had escalated by 24.44 per cent year-on-year to Rs29.59 trillion when compared to the figure of Rs23.78 trillion recorded in the same period a year earlier. In parallel, short-term debt exhibited a substantial year-on-year increase of 27.14 per cent as opposed to Rs7.31 trillion in July 2022.

  • Fact check: Is the viral Virat Kohli fan Pakistani?

    Fact check: Is the viral Virat Kohli fan Pakistani?

    After the highly anticipated cricket match between India and Pakistan on Saturday in Sri Lanka, a video went viral where a girl, allegedly a Pakistani, was seen saying that she was a huge fan of batting maestro Virat Kohli. When the video went viral, several Pakistani social media users slammed the as fake, saying that the girl’s accent was not typical of the country.

    The woman in question is indeed from Pakistan, and is fluent in Saraiki, the language of South Punjab. A user shared multiple videos where she could be speaking in both Saraiki and Urdu both.

    Her official Tiktok account is Khaani, where she can be seen showing her Pakistani passport and has the same yellow nail polish as well as the flags of both India and Pakistan painted on her cheeks as in the viral video.

    @lovekhaani ✈️ Babar Aur Kohli #srilanka #khaani ♬ original sound – Khaani
    @lovekhaani #khaani ♬ original sound – Khaani
  • Does AP Dhillon’s ‘With You’ sound similar to Pakistan’s ‘Tum Mil Gaye’?

    Does AP Dhillon’s ‘With You’ sound similar to Pakistan’s ‘Tum Mil Gaye’?

    Is there a slight chance that AP Dhillon’s hit song ‘With You’ is a copy of the same beat that the Vital Signs 90s hit ‘Tum Mil Gaye’ used?

    Commentator Ahmer Naqvi raised the question when he pointed out that the first few beats of both songs sound intriguingly similar.

    We are placing both songs here and allowing the audience to make their own judgement.

    Other X users chimed in to say that they could notice the similarities.

    https://twitter.com/umerbinajmal/status/1699010359674224950?s=20

    But it seems like AP Dhillon has seemingly debunked these rumors, with a pinned comment by the producer Rebbel below the ‘Without You’ music video which reads:

    “This beat is not copied or stolen. It’s produced by me and AP Dhillon rightfully purchased this beat off me and now owns the exclusive rights. I’m grateful to have been part of this record.”

  • Sugar prices soar to record highs, adding to woes of inflation-hit masses in Pakistan

    Sugar prices soar to record highs, adding to woes of inflation-hit masses in Pakistan

    Sugar prices across Pakistan have hit an all-time high, casting a cloud of concern and inconvenience among its populace. In a dramatic turn of events, the sugar market landscape underwent significant fluctuations, causing consumers to feel the pinch while traders and policymakers raced to decipher the root cause. 

    Reports from various regions of the country reveal staggering price disparities. In the southwestern province of Balochistan, the town of Chaman witnessed the highest sugar prices, with the sweet commodity soaring to an astonishing PKR 230 per kilogramme. Meanwhile, in the central Punjab town of Arifwala, the price of sugar reached PKR 185 per kilogramme, perplexing both buyers and sellers alike. 

    However, amidst this tumultuous surge in sugar prices, Karachi experienced a minor respite as wholesale prices dropped by PKR 2 to settle at PKR 176 per kilogram. Yet, the relief was not fully passed on to consumers, with the retail price stubbornly clinging to PKR 190 per kilogramme, as reported by the PPI news agency via Dawn. 

    The question on everyone’s mind: What led to this unprecedented rise in sugar prices? 

    The shocking escalation in sugar prices came on the heels of growing concerns expressed by Pakistan’s caretaker government regarding depleting sugar stocks. Dawn’s report identifies rising sugarcane prices and court orders as the primary contributors to the spiralling sugar prices. 

    Furthermore, dealers have attributed the surge to a logistical nightmare, where the supply of sugar was severely disrupted due to vehicles getting stranded on national highways following the suspension of permits.

    Senator Taj Haider added another layer of complexity to the issue, alleging that former minister Rana Sanaullah allowed a massive 1.4 million tonnes of sugar to be smuggled, thus exacerbating the crisis.

    In this blame game, Haider emphasised that Naveed Qamar, Pakistan’s former Commerce Minister, had officially authorised the export of approximately 250,000 metric tonnes of sugar to bolster foreign exchange reserves. He vehemently defended his party colleague, rejecting any implication that Qamar was responsible for the ongoing sugar shortage. 

    Read more: Saudi Arabia to invest $25 billion in Pakistan over five years

    The repercussions of the sudden sugar price surge have further deepened the financial woes of the Pakistani people, who are already grappling with the burdensome weight of inflation. The situation has prompted policymakers, traders, and citizens alike to closely monitor the ever-changing dynamics of the sugar market. 

    As Pakistan grapples with the sugar crisis, the nation remains hopeful for a sweet resolution that can alleviate the hardships faced by its people in these challenging times. 

  • Fact Check: Did the Army Chief say ‘No political party is sincere with Pakistan?’

    Fact Check: Did the Army Chief say ‘No political party is sincere with Pakistan?’

    On Sept 4, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir pledged unwavering efforts to attract foreign investment and rejuvenate the economy during an extensive meeting with members of the business community. In the meeting, he engaged openly and candidly with them.

    The controversy started when a renowned businessman Zubair Motiwala appeared in Nadeem Malik’s program on Samaa TV and said during the live show that the Army Chief said that no political party is sincere with Pakistan. Motiwala was unable to complete his statement as his line was disconnected. A clip of his statement went viral online soon after.

    Today, senior journalist and anchorperson Saleem Safi took to X (formerly Twitter) and said that his sources have revealed that the Army Chief did not said anything like this. He stated that the Chief’s actual words were, “Every political party has good and bad people.”

    The Current reached out to Safi to get a confirmation about his tweet. He said that he confirmed with three people who were present at the meeting that the statement was not said. He said that ISPR also confirmed that the statement was not said by the Army Chief. He also predicted that Motiwala would clarify his statement himself in a few hours.

  • School principal arrested after blackmailing, raping women

    School principal arrested after blackmailing, raping women

    The principal of a private school in Gulshan-i-Hadeed, Karachi has been taken into custody after allegations of raping and blackmailing women, DAWN has reported.

    The news outlet spoke with Steel Town police Station House Officer (SHO) Nand Lal on Monday. The school principal was detained as videos of the alleged rape incidents made rounds on social media.

    The principal has admitted to the allegations that he raped women after promising them job opportunities, then recording their videos to blackmail them.

    The principal himself has been blackmailed by an extortionist who demanded Rs 10 lacs after acquiring the videos. Details of the alleged blackmailer, however, have not been revealed.

    The school principal had filed an application against the alleged extortionist at Malir City Police Station. But before the two parties could possibly reach an agreement, the police became involved in the case and arrested the principal.

    The SHO further said that a First Information Report (FIR) is to be registered against him on behalf of the state through a police officer. None of the man’s victims have resorted to the police as of yet.

    Meanwhile, according to Malir Senior Superintendent of Police Hassan Sardar, 25 videos have been recovered from the suspect. Through these video, five of the women allegedly raped have been identified.

    Further action taken:

    Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Sindh Inspector General of Police Riffat Mukhtar Raja have taken notice of the case and have called for action against the culprits.

    Additionally, the Sindh Education and Literacy Department has sealed the school “immediately” and held a probe into the matter.
    Dawn quoted from a letter from the Education and Literacy Department acting Director General, Muhammad Afzal addressed to Malir deputy commissioner (DC):

    “As per the record of this directorate, the school is not registered with the relevant authority and it is functioning without any legal status,”

    The DC has also been asked to probe into the case “with full length and immediately seal the school premises”.

  • Saudi Arabia to invest $25 billion in Pakistan over five years: PM Kakar

    Saudi Arabia to invest $25 billion in Pakistan over five years: PM Kakar

    On Monday, Interim Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) intends to invest a substantial sum of up to $25 billion in Pakistan over the next two to five years.

    During a media briefing, PM Kakar explained that Saudi Arabia’s investment focus will primarily encompass the mining, agriculture, and information technology sectors. This initiative aims to boost foreign direct investment in Pakistan, which is currently facing financial challenges. 

    If this investment materialises, it will mark the largest-ever commitment by Saudi Arabia to Pakistan. The country is grappling with a pressing need for funds to address its trade deficit and repay international loans in the ongoing fiscal year. 

    While specific projects earmarked for Saudi investment were not disclosed during the meeting, Barrick Gold Corp. expressed interest last month in partnering with Saudi Arabia’s wealth fund for the Reko Diq mine in Pakistan. 

    Kakar emphasised that Pakistan holds substantial untapped mineral resources valued conservatively at $6 trillion. Additionally, the government intends to expedite two privatisation transactions, likely involving state-owned power sector entities, within the next six months. There is also a plan to privatise another government-owned company, preferably outside the energy sector. 

    Read more: Business community finds hope as COAS Munir vows to tackle corruption and boost investment  

    It’s worth noting that privatisation efforts in Pakistan have faced challenges in the past, as the sale of state assets is a politically sensitive issue that previous elected governments have largely avoided. 

    Currently, Pakistan is navigating a challenging path to economic recovery under a caretaker administration, following the approval of a $3 billion loan plan by the International Monetary Fund in July, which prevented a sovereign debt default. Islamabad is confronted with a balance of payments crisis and requires substantial funds to rectify its trade deficit and settle outstanding debts. 

  • Sindh’s caretaker Interior Minister has unique solution for mobile snatching

    Sindh’s caretaker Interior Minister has unique solution for mobile snatching

    With an increase in street crimes, the caretaker Interior Minister Sindh, Brigadier (R) Haris Nawaz, has suggestions for locals as to how they should protect their valuables.

    Thefts and robberies are a major problem for the people of Karachi. The most common of the street crimes is mobile snatching.

    While talking to the media, Haris Nawaz said that people should keep the mobile phone in a place where it cannot be stolen, or keep the mobile phone in an inner pocket.

    He stated that citizens should look out for themselves by staying safe as well as help the government and the police.

    His statement led to social media asking what would the government do, if citizens are supposed to do its job.

    People react

    https://twitter.com/HishamKhan1998/status/1698970013867049247?s=20
  • Shehbaz, Dar should return to Pakistan immediately, says Khawaja Asif

    Shehbaz, Dar should return to Pakistan immediately, says Khawaja Asif

    Khawaja Asif, senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), has said that despite the fact that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s return is not possible until October, party president Shehbaz Sharif and senior leader Ishaq Dar should come back to Pakistan immediately as the public is angry about the economic crisis and inflation in the country.

    “There is no doubt there are countless [causes of unrest] for the people, and there is only one solution to this. We must constantly… constantly stay in touch with the people, so they can see us,” Asif stressed, adding that keeping distance from the public is not a solution.

    The former defence minister said this while talking on Geo News’ programme, ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’.

    Khawja Asif said that Shehbaz Sharif and the former finance minister should come back and tackle the criticism the party has been facing.

    He also mentioned that the PML-N Vice President is constantly in touch with the public.

    “All of us MNAs are sitting in our constituencies,” he added.

    The former defence minister stated that the PML-N was part of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), so one party could not be held responsible for the economic crisis in the country.