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Tag: Pakistan

  • SBP’s forex reserves drop by $125 million to $7.93 billion after debt repayments

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) revealed that its foreign exchange reserves decreased by $125 million within a week, now totalling $7.93 billion as of August 18. This is part of the country’s overall liquid foreign reserves of $13.25 billion. Commercial banks in Pakistan also hold $5.32 billion in net foreign reserves.

    This drop in reserves is due to debt repayments. Specifically, during the week ending August 18, 2023, the SBP’s reserves went down by $125 million, reaching $7,930.3 million due to these debt payments.

    Previously, the SBP’s foreign exchange reserves had increased by $12 million the week before. However, this increase was followed by a decline in the central bank’s reserves, which had previously decreased for three weeks in a row, primarily due to debt repayments.

    While the SBP’s reserves received a boost in July from the first installment of about $1.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a new $3 billion stand-by arrangement, they are now under pressure due to debt repayments, increased import payments after eased restrictions, and a lack of new inflows.

    Regarding Pakistan’s financial situation, the current account, which had been in surplus for four straight months, posted a deficit of $809 million in July, the highest since October 2022.

    At the same time, the Pakistani rupee hit a new record low, falling below Rs300 against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Thursday. The rupee settled at Rs300.22 against the US dollar, showing a decrease of Re0.58 or 0.19 per cent, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan.

  • Will your city get monsoon rain in the next four days?

    According to the Met Department, monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are likely to penetrate the upper parts of the country from Tuesday night, whereas a westerly wave is also likely to enter these areas today.

    Under the influence of these systems, rain and wind-thunderstorms are expected in different parts of Kashmir, including Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur.

    A warning has also been issued for different parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Kohat, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi and Nowshera from August 23 to 27 with occasional gaps.

    Rain and thunder showers are also expected in Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Karak, Waziristan, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabod, Toba To Singh, Jhang and Bhakkar from 24th to 26th August. While in Dera Ghaz Khan, Ramrour, Musa Khel, Barkhan, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar on 25th and 26th August.

    The warning stated that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to increase the water flows in local nullahs/streams of Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Galliyat, Murree, Rawalpindi/Islamabad from August 23 to 25.

    Moreover, moderate to heavy rains may cause urban flooding in the low-lying areas of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Peshawar, and Lahore as well as may trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the wet spell.

  • Indian spy arrested in Karachi

    Indian spy arrested in Karachi

    According to Samaa news, law enforcement agencies have apprehended a man alleged to be an Indian spy along with a Pakistani facilitator in Karachi.

    Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) City, Arif Aziz has said that the detained is identified as Akhil Dev and has been accused of having been working undercover for India.

    The operation was carried under the jurisdiction of the Kalakot police station in Lyari. Resultantly, incriminating evidence has been retrieved including two Indian passports, firearms, and foreign currency totaling five lakhs among other items. In addition, fake jewellery boxes, six mobile phones, one tablet, and various documents were also recovered from the suspects.

    SSP Arif Aziz stated that this arrest is a proof of rigour and commitment of Pakistani law enforcement agencies to protect national security.

    He also confirmed that investigations are underway to capture any potential aide linked to the accused.

  • Pakistan won’t surrender to extremism, says PM Kakar

    Pakistan won’t surrender to extremism, says PM Kakar

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said that Pakistan will continue the fight against terrorism and will not surrender under any circumstances.

    While talking to the media on Wednesday, Kakar stated that Pakistan is his homeland, adding that, “We will take it forward according to our strategy.”

    In reference to the recent incident of martyrdom of security personnel in Waziristan on Tuesday, the caretaker PM said that acts of terrorism cannot weaken the nation.

    He also emphasised that the sacrifices of the martyrs will not be forgotten.

    The prime minister also expressed happiness over the successful rescue of eight individuals in the Battagram cable car operation and praised the efforts of the military forces, the district administration, and villagers.

  • Who completed the rescue operation in Battagram?

    Who completed the rescue operation in Battagram?

    The world’s eyes turned to Pakistan on Tuesday afternoon after news reports appeared emerged that a chairlift carrying children and adults got stranded hundreds of feet above the ground midway through its journey across a valley in Battagram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Two of the three cables connected to the pod snapped, leaving the children tethered midair between 7am to 8am.

    The cable car was privately run by locals for transportation across rivers as there were no roads or bridges in the remote area.

    The cable car, along with passengers, remained dangling in the middle of a deep ravine surrounded by towering mountains and a rocky surface along side the Jhangri river for more than 12 hours.

    At 11:56 am, the official account of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) tweeted that a helicopter has been sent for rescue operation in collaboration with Pakistan Army and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

    At the same time, interim Prime Minister, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar tweeted that directions have been given to relevant authorities to ensure safe rescue and evacuation of the eight people stuck in the chair lift.

    The dramatic and dangerous rescue began with army helicopters and SSG commandos saving a child at around 6:30 pm via a sling lowered from the helicopter on the fourth attempt after three failed ones. Four helicopters were being utilized and the rescue operation was being led by GOC SSG.

    As day light was almost ending and unfavorable weather conditions were rising, a ground operation started with the help of locals. Initially there was a claim that two children have been rescued via sling operation but later it was confirmed that only one was successfully rescued.

    Rescuer and employee of a local company specializing in retrieving vehicles and dead bodies from rivers, Sahib Khan, who along with Ali Swati, Ilyas and Hammad participated in the rescue operation by zip lining. While talking to Reuters he said:

    “The incident happened at around 7:00 a.m. , we arrived there around 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. The helicopters were coming and going, but they did not give us permission to make an effort at saving the kids. However, when evening set in, they said ‘you can go ahead’. They had rescued one child, seven were still stranded. We started our operation, and thank God we rescued all seven of them. By the grace of Allah, all of them are fine.”

    While talking to Hum News, Ali Swati, founder of Heaven’s Way Zipline Pvt Limited, said that he was contacted by Deputy Commissioner Mansehra, Bilal Shahid Rao, who told him the army helicopter is time taking and risky and the people can be rescued by zip lining.

    “It took us 3 to 4 hours to rescue 7 people. One person was rescued by the Army. Our own lives were at risk. We planned this for 20 to 25 minutes, checking our harnesses and the amount of weight they can endure.”

    He further added that the people stuck there had spent more than 15 hours stranded mid-air. One child, who was unconscious, had already been given water by the army, which helped him in gaining consciousness. The effectees were afraid that they all might fall due to the addition of zip liners and another “dolli”.

    “We made them all relax for five minutes. Then my staff member Ilyas moved in the dolli and gave everyone their equipment. We secured them on the wire too to ensure safety,” he added.

    The rescue operation was concluded around 11pm, almost 15 hours after the ordeal started for stranded locals.

  • Veteran actor Akbar Khan passes away

    Veteran actor Akbar Khan passes away

    Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un

    Actor Akbar Khan, known for portraying character roles, has passed away in Karachi on Tuesday after suffering from an undisclosed illness.

    He was a painter and a sculptor of note, with acting credits that include critically acclaimed dramas like ‘Parizaad’, ‘Dil Ruba’ and the popular sitcom ‘Bulbulay’.

    Hum TV sent condolences to the late actor’s friends and family members on Instagram.

    Adnan Siddiqui remembered Akbar Khan for his contributions to the entertainment industry:

    “May Allah grant him higher place in Jannah . Aameen.”

    Actors like Yashma Gill and Yasir Hussain posted condolences for the late actor’s passing on their Instagram stories.

  • JIT to conduct forensic test of audios linked with Bushra Bibi

    JIT to conduct forensic test of audios linked with Bushra Bibi

    The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has decided to test two audios alleged to feature the voice of former first lady Bushra Bibi, in the ToshaKhana case. On Tuesday, the JIT decided to conduct a forensic test of audios as during the investigation, Bushra Bibi has denied that it was her voice.

    The JIT is currently investigating the ToshaKhana case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.

    In Bushra Bibi’s recent appearance before the JIT, two audio clips were played for her. After hearing the audio clips, she said that the voice was not her’s.

    In one of the recordings, she is allegedly heard reprimanding someone for taking pictures of the things being brought from Toshakhana to Banigala House. In the second recording, she is talking to the then assistant to the prime minister, Zulfi Bukhari, about the watch at the center of the case, gifted by Saudi Arabia to Imran Khan when he was Prime Minister.

    These audios went viral on social media platforms, igniting a conversation about how involved Bushra Bibi was in the matter.

    It should be noted that Bushra Bibi appeared before the JIT on August 15 and was questioned for 20 minutes. She responded to each of the 20 questions asked by the JIT.

  • Inspection of all chair lifts in KP mandatory

    Inspection of all chair lifts in KP mandatory

    The caretaker government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has directed authorities to inspect all chairlifts installed in the province and conduct safety audits following the cable car incident in Battagram. A chairlift got stranded hundreds of feet above the ground midway through its journey across a valley on Tuesday morning as children were making their way to school inside the pod in Allai Tehsil.

    The dramatic and dangerous rescue began with army helicopters and SSG commandos saving two children via a sling, with locals joining in for the ground operation which began when darkness fell. The rescuers used a cable as a zipline to rescue the remaining people later in the night.

    Directives from the provincial government were issued on Tuesday after the rescue operation was completed, asking all the deputy commissioners in KP to carry out a safety audit of chairlifts within their jurisdictions.

    It further instructed them to immediately check chairlifts at all commercial, domestic and recreational places, adding that the inspection of cable cars installed over rivers and canals should also be done by the relevant authorities.

    DCs have to submit a report within a week after reviewing the design, capacity and safety measures of all chairlifts.

    It has also been made mandatory to get a No Objection Certificate from the district administration before the installation of cable cars.

  • Battagram incident: What, When, Where, Who?

    Battagram incident: What, When, Where, Who?

    After a long and tense 14 hours, all the eight passengers stuck on a cable car were rescued around 10: 45 p.m. on Tuesday night. Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed the mission’s completion on X (formerly Twitter).

    The incident occurred at GHS Batangi Pashto spot where the cable car was suspended at the height of approximately 600 feet and its sling spanned over 200 meters. The cable car was crossing over Jangri Khwar stream carrying eight students. Around 8:30 a.m., while the passengers were making their way to school, two of the main cables that regulated the movement of the cable car snapped due to a technical malfunction.

    Makeshift cable cars are commonly used in eastern Mansehra, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit Baltistan, sometimes being the only alternative to traditional mediums of transportation in a topography that includes mountains and rivers. While there are no roads or schools in some of these areas, cable cars are the only means of travel for many.

    Who were the people stuck in the cable car?

    There were a total of eight passengers: seven students and one local. 20-year-old Gulfaraz spoke with Geo News over the phone while stuck in the cable car. According to him, the children were aged between 10 and 15. One boy had fainted because of fear and heat.

    The students present in the cable car were Ibrar (son of Abdul Ghani), Irfan (son of Umraiz), Usama (Muhammad Sharif), Rizwan Ullah (son of Abdul Qayyum), Atta Ullah (son of Kifayat Ullah), Niaz Muhammad (Umar Zeb), and Sher Nawaz (son of Shah Nazar).

    While these students were stuck and awaiting rescue, Geo News reported that the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Abbottabad had announced results. Three of the students to receive results were among the trapped passengers, including Attaullah, who obtained 442 marks; Niaz Mohammad, who secured 412 marks; and Usama, who took 391 numbers. All the three boys had been promoted to class 10.

    The rescue operation

    Even though the operation began near noon, the first boy was not rescued till late evening. The situation got tricky with wind picking up speed and the looming darkness. By nighttime, the military helicopter rescue operation was called off with only two children rescued till then. However, ground-based rescue operation began, with flood lights and a platform quickly built along the cable. In the hours that followed, all the passengers were successfully saved.

  • ‘Elections not possible before May 2024,’ says former ECP secretary

    According to a former Secretary of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) , Kanwar Dilshad, general elections are not possible before May 2024, stressing that polling will only be possible after nine months.

    He explained his point further while talking to The News that the process of delimitation of constituencies will take almost four months.

    The former ECP secretary said that four months for delimitation, three months for finalising the voter list, and two months for the election schedule will make the upcoming election possible. So, according to the former ECP, more than nine months are required to make the general election possible.

    He also said that the ECP should not ignore the factor of revision of electoral rolls, as it is very necessary according to the Election Act 2017.

    On the other hand, according to the sources of Geo News, ECP has decided to consult all the major political parties about the final date of the upcoming general election. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will also be consulted regarding this matter.

    The ECP’s meeting with the political parties, the sources added, is expected to begin in the next few days.

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Awami National Party (ANP), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) are the major political parties in the country.