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Tag: Pakistan

  • More rains expected from August 10-13: Met Department

    More rains expected from August 10-13: Met Department

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted more monsoon rains from August 10 to August 13.

    According to a statement issued by the PMD, rains and thundershowers are expected in Kashmir, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and parts of Balochistan from August 10-13.

    The PMD has also warned that rains can cause flash flooding in different cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Shakargarh, Sialkot, Narowal, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Dir, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and Kashmir.

    In addition, the PMD has warned of urban flooding in Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad and Mirpurkhas due to heavy rains.

    The Met Department has advised travellers and tourists to remain more cautious during the forecast period.

  • Army chief reaches out to Saudi, UAE authorities to discuss IMF programme

    Army chief reaches out to Saudi, UAE authorities to discuss IMF programme

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has spoken with the rulers of two Gulf countries — the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — to discuss the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

    According to media reports, the extended fund facility worth $1.2 billion with the IMF was discussed with the Gulf countries, including the upcoming executive board meeting of the IMF, which is expected to ratify the loan programmme.

    It is pertinent to mention that the loan programme reportedly came under discussion and a positive development is expected for Pakistan soon.

    The development has taken place a week after the COAS was reported to have reached out to US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman over resuming the programme with IMF. He appealed to the US to help Pakistan secure an early dispersal of $1.2 billion in funds.

  • ‘Largest prison in the world’: Politicians condemn atrocities in occupied Kashmir

    ‘Largest prison in the world’: Politicians condemn atrocities in occupied Kashmir

    Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir is being observed today in Pakistan to mark the day when Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi revoked the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s (IIOJK). In violation of the United Nations (UN) resolutions and international law, India scrapped Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution that granted special autonomous status to IIOJK and imposed a military siege on the territory on August 5, 2019.

    Pakistani politicians expressed solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that India’s actions are “aimed at altering the demographic structure of the occupied territory”.

    “The Jammu and Kashmir dispute has been a battle of hope against overwhelming odds, of courage against fear and of sacrifice against tyranny.”

    The premier also paid tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK for their sacrifices and courage.

    “Pakistan will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just struggle. We call upon international community to take practical steps to hold India accountable for its gross and widespread human rights violations in IIOJK and to facilitate a peaceful resolution of this long-standing dispute,” tweeted President Dr Arif Alvi.

    The president further added, “The resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people is the only way to ensure durable peace and stability in the region.”

    “More than 1.5 billion people in the region deserve to see the dawn of peace and prosperity, which has been held hostage by India in IIOJK.”

    Similarly, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said that the Indian authorities assumed that their moves would crush the spirit of Kashmiri resistance “but the Kashmiris’ spirit of resistance became stronger and it continues to strengthen”.

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari released a video message on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir.

    He said that the presence of the Indian troops has turned occupied Kashmir into the most militarised region in the world.

    “Over the past seven decades, three generations of Kashmiris have awaited for the world community and UN to honour their solemn commitment.”

    Former FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi called India a rogue state.

    “India continues to act as a rogue state with unrelenting violence in #IIOJK. Yet indigenous resistance movement for Kashmiri’s inalienable right to self-determination stands strong. Pakistan will always stand by ppl of Kashmir.”

    “Modi government has made IIJOK the largest prison in the world,” tweeted federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman.

  • Six Pakistani nationals convicted of violating sanctity of Masjid-e-Nabawi

    Six Pakistani nationals convicted of violating sanctity of Masjid-e-Nabawi

    At least six Pakistani nationals have been convicted of violating the sanctity of the Masjid-e-Nabawi (PBUH) in Madinah during Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia, reports Geo News.

    According to media reports, a court in Madinah gave three Pakistani nationals — Anas, Irshad, and Muhammad Saleem — 10 years of jail term, while the other three — Khawaja Luqman, Muhammad Afzal, and Ghulam Muhammad — have been given eight-year sentences.

    A fine of Saudi Riyal 20,000 each has been imposed on the convicts and their mobile phones have also been confiscated.

    In April, during PM Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia, a group of protesters chanted slogans of “chor, chor (thieves)” when they saw the premiere and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

    Responding to the incident in Saudi Arabia, Aurangzeb said that there was a specific group that chanted those slogans. She also said that she prayed for those people at Masjid-e-Nabawi.

    In videos that were widely shared on social media, the Pakistani delegation, including Marriyum Aurangzeb, was seen surrounded by people yelling “chor chor”.

  • Flyover or Dam: PM Shehbaz gets candid with a Twitter follower

    Flyover or Dam: PM Shehbaz gets candid with a Twitter follower

    Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt has bagged a maiden gold medal in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022. In the 109+kg category, Butt lifted 173kg in snatch and set a new record. In clean and jerk, he lifted 232kg to set another record. In total, he lifted 405kg to claim a gold medal for Pakistan.

    “This wasn’t possible without the support and prayers of my friends and family members,” said Butt while talking to Geo News. “I dedicate this gold medal to my father, who worked for 12 years and helped me reach this stage.”

    “Winning a medal for your country is always a proud moment, and gold is something special.”

    “I have done my duty. Now it’s up to the government of Pakistan to do their job,” he added.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Nooh on winning a gold medal for Pakistan.

    “Prime Minister sahb Well done say BAAT nahe chalni, Butt Sahab Kay name ka flyover hona chahiye,” Twitter user Faizan Khan commented on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s congratulatory tweet after Nooh Butt won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games last night.

    “Or a dam,” was PM Shehbaz’s candid response.

    Social media users are expressing their joy over the achievement of the weightlifter from Gujranwala.

    Have a look at some of the tweets:

    https://twitter.com/hamzabutt61/status/1555010742625124352

    Butt won a bronze medal in the 105+kg division at the 2018 CWG. Pakistan won a gold medal in the CWG’s weightlifting event in 2006 when Shujauddin Malik won gold in the 85kg division.

  • Asia Cup 2022: Shoaib Malik not part of Pakistan squad

    Asia Cup 2022: Shoaib Malik not part of Pakistan squad

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced a 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2022.

    The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced last month that the Asia Cup 2022 will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from August 27 to September 11. However, Sri Lanka will still officially have hosting rights.  The Asia Cup, which was last played in 2018, will be played in the T20 format, with nine teams participating.

    Shoaib Malik and Shan Masood are not part of Pakistan’s batting squad while fast bowler Naseem Shah has replaced Hasan Ali.

    Shoaib Malik is Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in Asia Cup. He has scored 907 runs in 21 matches with an average of 64.78.

    Shoaib Malik was part of the T20 World Cup 2021 and scored 101 runs in the tournament with a match-winning knock of 54 on 18 balls against Scotland.

    “It’s been 25 years but Pakistan has not found a replacement for Shoaib Malik,” said former Pakistani cricketer Aaqib Javed said in an interview.

    Read more – Asia Cup 2022 to be held in UAE

    People are expressing their disappointment over the decision to drop Shoaib Malik and Shan Masood.

    Have a look at some of the tweets:

    https://twitter.com/aleeybae/status/1554740957286785024

    Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2022: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir

  • Poliovirus detected in sewage samples from 7 cities in Pakistan

    Poliovirus detected in sewage samples from 7 cities in Pakistan

    Pakistan’s federal authorities have confirmed the presence of the poliovirus in seven cities after samples were collected from various cities in the country. The presence of the poliovirus was confirmed in the samples collected from Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Bannu, Nowshera and Swat.

    Lahore and Islamabad were declared polio-free in April 2021.

    Federal Minister for Health Abdul Qadir Patel said in a statement that the government was committed to eradicating polio and had established a strategy to do so.

    “We have been taking steps to control the virus in seven cities that have reported positive environmental samples. I appeal to the parents to make sure that their children are vaccinated during every polio campaign,” said Qadir Patel.

    Read more – Shehbaz Sharif, Bill Gates discuss anti-polio campaign

    In order to raise awareness about the virus, the health ministry also solicited collaboration with civil society, religious scholars, academics and the media.

    Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where polio has not yet been eradicated. To formally eradicate the disease, a nation must be polio-free for three consecutive years. Nigeria was declared free from wild polio in August 2020.

  • Covid-19: Positivity rate in Pakistan jumps to 3.85%

    Covid-19: Positivity rate in Pakistan jumps to 3.85%

    According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Covid-19 positivity rate in Pakistan has reached 3.85 per cent.

    In addition, 806 cases of Covid-19 were reported in Pakistan on August 2 and nine people have lost their lives to the deadly virus. A total of 20,949 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.

    According to the NIH data, 160 Covid-19 patients are in critical care.

    In March this year, the government announced the closure of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). The body was set up in March 2020 to deal with Covid-19.

    Read more- Surge in Covid-19 cases: PM urges nation to follow SOPs

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in June urged Pakistanis to follow Covid-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

  • Masjid Nikkah, no fireworks, no dancing: Swat Jirga issues code of conduct for weddings

    Masjid Nikkah, no fireworks, no dancing: Swat Jirga issues code of conduct for weddings

    A code of conduct has been made for wedding celebrations in Swat’s Mangalore village after a jirga on Sunday decided to eliminate unnecessary wedding customs.

    The jirga decision says that weddings would be simple and nikkah would be performed only in mosques. In addition, the ‘haq mehr’ (dower) from the husband’s family would be only seven tola gold. The bride’s father will not provide money or food to the groom’s family and the dowry list would be modest and brief.

    Chairman Qaumi Jirga Fazal Ghaffar stated that his own daughter’s wedding was simple and convenient for both families.

    As per the new code of conduct, the wedding ceremony attendees would only be given dates; bridal gowns would not be overly expensive, and the groom would only provide the bride with 10 suits.

    Walima or other marriage functions would be simple and will be held according to the financial resources of both families.

    Fireworks and dances would not be permitted at weddings or other celebrations.

  • Dubai crown prince calls Dubai-based Pakistani rider to thank him for his ‘act of goodness’

    Dubai crown prince calls Dubai-based Pakistani rider to thank him for his ‘act of goodness’

    A Pakistani delivery rider won the heart of Dubai’s crown prince after a video of him removing concrete blocks from a busy street went viral. He was seen in the viral video removing two fallen concrete bricks from busy traffic.

    Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum then shared the video on his official Twitter account in an attempt to locate the man.

    “An act of goodness in Dubai to be praised. Can someone point me to this man?”

    Later, he commented on his own tweet saying that the “good man” has been found.

    The crown prince called Abdul Ghafoor to thank him.

    “Hello, this is Sheikh Hamdan,” were the first words when he called Pakistani expat Abdul Ghafoor on Sunday.

    “I could not believe my ears,” an elated Abdul Ghafoor told Khaleej Times. He was out for a delivery when the call came. “The Dubai Crown Prince thanked me for what I had done. He also said that he was out of the country right now and promised he would meet me as soon as he was back.”

    “To be honest, I’m still in disbelief that the Sheikh wanted to speak to a common man like me,” said Abdul Ghafoor. “He is really a great leader.”