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Tag: Pakistan

  • 17 Pakistani universities listed among world’s best institutions

    17 Pakistani universities listed among world’s best institutions

    As many as 17 Pakistani universities have been listed among the best global universities for 2022.

    According to the ranking published by US News, Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad has been ranked 461 in the World Ranking for 2022. Aga Khan University, Karachi and COMSATS University Islamabad are following the QAU in the ranking respectively.

    Apart from these institutions, more universities have made to the list, such as the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) which is placed at 922, the University of Peshawar, at 933, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at 954, Government College (GC) University Faisalabad at 1,149, University of Punjab at1,242, Bahauddin Zakariya University at 1,368 and University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore have been placed at 1,458th position.

    Following the news, the Vice-Chancellor (VS) of QAU Prof Dr Muhammad Ali Shah congratulated the faculty, students, staff, and alumni on the official website of the university.

  • Political use of ‘diplomatic cable’ to haunt Pakistan’s Foreign Office for many years: report

    Political use of ‘diplomatic cable’ to haunt Pakistan’s Foreign Office for many years: report

    The ‘diplomatic cable’ which has plunged Pakistan into a constitutional crisis, also attracted fair resentment from the Foreign Office (FO) against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for using the communique for gaining ‘political mileage’.

    Kamran Yousaf in his report for The Express Tribune writes, “Two Foreign Office officials, spoke to The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity due to sensitivity of the issue, revealed that the diplomats were not happy with the controversy.”

    One diplomatic on condition of anonymity told Yousaf that the repercussions of the way the government used “secret and classified communication” to achieve its “political objectives and its negative impact” would be felt in the FO for “many years” to come.

    “Diplomats are eyes and ears of Pakistan who give frank and honest feedback from the countries where they serve,” the official added.

    “Such honest and candid assessments are meant for policymakers to devise a strategy accordingly,” the official explained.

    “But if governments start using such secret communications for their political gains, then the diplomats would be reluctant to write honest assessments,” the official cautioned.

    “If the Foreign Office start making public diplomatic cables, people would be blown away,” the official said, insisting such candid discussions between diplomats are common.

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on April 3, named Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu as the United States (US) representative who had a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador in the US, which led to the “threatening diplomatic cable”.

    PM Khan on March 27 claimed that the Opposition’s no-trust move is part of an alleged “foreign-funded conspiracy” hatched against his government. It is pertinent to mention here that the Opposition tabled the no-confidence motion against PM Khan on March 8. The government claims to have received the threatening communique on March 7.

  • Toyota Pakistan records highest monthly sales, selling 7,132 vehicles in March 2022

    Toyota Pakistan records highest monthly sales, selling 7,132 vehicles in March 2022

    Toyota Indus Motor Company (IMC) achieved a new monthly milestone in March 2022, selling 7,132 vehicles, exceeding the prior record of 7,001 vehicles sold last year in October.

    It is pertinent to mention that the manufacturer has established a monthly sales record for the third time in the last eight months, which is a remarkable achievement.

    IMC has experienced tremendous growth over almost three decades of competence in producing and marketing Toyota cars in Pakistan. It was also revealed that the recent sales are the biggest since the company’s inception in 1993, for which the business has extended gratitude to its devoted customers.

    As consumer demand has grown over time, the corporation has made significant efforts to expand its capacity in order to satisfy the demands for innovative products.

    One of the most popular models from Toyota Pakistan is the iconic Toyota Corolla, which is also one of Asia’s most popular automobiles. The latter has been quite successful for decades now, accounting for the best sales.

    Due to its relatively faster delivery period than other car brands in Pakistan, the automaker has a broad demand in the nation and appeals to a wider clientele for its durable and trusted offerings.

    Reportedly, the Toyota Yaris has a two-month delivery wait as opposed to the Honda City’s four-month delivery period.

    In order to maintain quality standards, the firm invests heavily in coaching and motivating its qualified personnel. The corporation places a strong emphasis on corporate ethics along with employee and customer safety.

    On the flip side, the corporation may have to raise prices once again due to worldwide logistical issues, rising freight costs, and the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee.

    Imported raw materials have become pricier for automakers as the rupee continues to depreciate against the US dollar. As a consequence, IMC said that overall sales may drop by nearly 15 per cent over the coming years.

  • Pakistan to import 32.7 million barrels of oil to cover petroleum needs

    Under a deferred payment agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), Pakistan would acquire roughly 32.7 million barrels (MBL) of crude oil in 2022 to cover its petroleum product needs.

    The Pak-Arab Refinery Company Limited (PARCO) and National Refinery Limited (NRL) plan to import 16.89 and 15.81 million barrels of oil in the ongoing year, respectively.

    Crude oil worth $100 million per month may be imported under the terms of the arrangement, with payment deferred for a year. The price will be set in accordance with the existing long-term agreement between Saudi Aramco, PARCO, and NRL.

    The facility will be available for a 12-month period, which may be increased for one year. The withdrawn funds, plus the margin of 3.8 per cent, will be repaid in one annual installment in US dollars.

    Previously, In June 2021, the Saudi government agreed to pay $4.2 billion in providing economic aid to Pakistan, which was legally formalised in November. While the SFD programme has been in effect since March 7, 2022, and oil purchase has now already begun.

  • Brother, sister killed in Bannu, alleged assassin captured

    A young boy along with his sister was gunned down by an unidentified killer in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday.

    According to ARY News, the incident occurred in Mando Khel area of Bannu, situated in the jurisdiction of Cantt Police, where the killer murdered both the siblings and fled the scene.

    The police have shifted the dead bodies to a local hospital, and eventually captured the killer. The police have also launched further investigation to ascertain the motive behind the double murder.

    Separately,  a man from Gujranwala city in Punjab identified as Ateeq burned his wife alive for not giving birth to a son, reports ARY. The incident took place in the Kot Shekju area of Gujranwala. He had three daughters.

    Read more- Man burns wife alive for not giving birth to a son

    The man’s sister-in-law allegedly supported him in the crime. According to the authorities, after killing his wife, Ateeq fled the scene with his three daughters.

  • Shireen Mazari accuses Aurat March of being ‘foreign funded’ over political stance

    Shireen Mazari accuses Aurat March of being ‘foreign funded’ over political stance

    While reacting to Aurat March’s statement in which the forum strongly condemned the constitutional crisis in Pakistan and the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA), Federal Minister Shireen Mazari dropped a controversial tweet.

    A day earlier in a tweet, the Aurat March criticised Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, saying: “We condemn the political circus that has been kicked off due to the fragile masculine ego of a person who has sabotaged democratic processes just to save the perception of his individuality and to stage a dirty manoeuvre for his comeback to power.”

    The statement clearly didn’t sit well with Mazari. She replied in disagreement, saying that “This [statement] shows Aurat March has little to do with genuine issues faced by women in Pakistan and more with politics and political agendas. Since many here have NGOs funded from abroad this statement, while condemnable, is not surprising. Fact is the US sought regime change and we do not accept it.”

    Indirectly hinting at Mazari, Aurat March Lahore released a brief statement, saying, “We cannot be asked to stay in our lane when the politics of this country deeply impact us.”

    The statement reads, “Aurat March does not accept funds from, partner with, or endorse any political party, NGO or corporation. We reject the idea that activism should be apolitical.”

    “We will continue to engage with politics, not only because it has a tangible impact on our lives, safety and wellbeing but because we are unafraid to stand up to institutions of political power,” the statement further reads.

  • 64% Pakistanis believe there is no US conspiracy to overthrow PTI government

    64 per cent Pakistanis believe that there is no US conspiracy to overthrow the PTI government, Gallup survey has revealed. The survey was conducted between April 3 and 4, according to which 64 per cent Pakistanis cited inflation as the main reason behind the fall of the PTI government.

    Those who participated in the survey said that the main reason behind the Opposition’s efforts to remove the government is inflation and lack of relief for the people.

    Only 36 per cent of the participants said that the US was behind the fall of the government.

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has named Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu as the United States (US) representative who had a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador in the US, which led to the ‘threatening’ diplomatic cable.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan is in a state of political chaos as the no-confidence motion against Khan was dismissed abruptly on Sunday. The move came after Suri termed it “unconstitutional”, saying that it was backed by “foreign powers”.

  • ‘We haven’t given any statement on election dates’, Election Commission

    ‘We haven’t given any statement on election dates’, Election Commission

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday denied issuing any statement regarding the time frame for the next general elections. “It is necessary to clarify that the Election Commission of Pakistan has not issued any statement regarding the election,” ECP tweeted.

    Earlier, a news report published in Dawn quoted an ECP official saying that it is not possible to hold general elections within three months due to a variety of legal and procedural issues.

    “Fresh delimitation of constituencies, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where the number of seats had been increased under the 26th Amendment, and bringing district- and constituency-wise electoral rolls in conformity were the major challenges,” a senior ECP official told Dawn, adding that it will take six months to prepare for the general elections.

    State Minister for Information Farrukh Habib said on Sunday that fresh elections in Pakistan will be held in 90 days after President Arif Alvi dissolved parliament on the advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

  • ‘Punish disobedient Imran Khan’: Russia lashes out at US for ‘plotting against Pakistan’

    ‘Punish disobedient Imran Khan’: Russia lashes out at US for ‘plotting against Pakistan’

    Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday declared that Russia is well aware of the events that led to the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA) in Pakistan.

    In a statement, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, “Immediately after the announcement of the upcoming working visit of Imran Khan to Moscow on February 23-24 this year. The Americans and their Western associates began to exert rude pressure on the Prime Minister, demanding an ultimatum to cancel the trip.”

    “When he nevertheless came to us, United States (US) Deputy Secretary of State for South Asia D Liu [Donald Lu] called the Pakistani ambassador in Washington and demanded that the visit be immediately interrupted, which was also rejected.”

    “According to the Pakistani media, on March 7 this year. in a conversation with Pakistani Ambassador Asad Majeed, a high-ranking American official (presumably the same D Liu) sharply condemned the balanced reaction of the Pakistani leadership to the events in Ukraine and made it clear that partnerships with the United States are possible only if Imran Khan is removed from power.”

    Zakharova further added, “The situation leaves no doubt that the United States decided to punish the ‘disobedient’ Imran Khan: a group of deputies of the same party of the prime minister ‘suddenly’ went over to the Opposition and the question of a no-confidence motion against the head of the incumbent government (Prime Minister) was immediately tabled in the parliament, the vote on which was scheduled for April 3rd.”

    “There is another attempt of shameless US interference in the internal affairs of an independent state for its own selfish purposes. The above facts eloquently testify to this. The Pakistani Prime Minister himself has repeatedly stated that the conspiracy against him was inspired and financed from abroad.”

    “We hope that Pakistani voters will be informed about these circumstances when they come to the elections, which should be held within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly,” read the statement.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan is in a state of political chaos as the no-confidence motion against Khan was dismissed abruptly on Sunday. Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri said that the no-confidence motion, presented on March 8, should be according to the law and the Constitution. “No foreign power shall be allowed to topple an elected government through a conspiracy,” he said, adding that the points raised by the minister were “valid”.

  • Construction work for Swat Motorway Phase-II to begin next week

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan will lay the foundation stone for Swat Motorway Phase-II in the next week.

    The CM instructed that development on the Dir Motorway project’s PC 1 for land acquisition be quickened so that practical work on the project can proceed.

    He was presiding over a meeting of the Pakhtunkhwa Highways Authority to discuss the status of various road projects, including the Swat Motorway Phase II and the Dir Motorway.

    The meeting was informed on the status of Swat Motorway Phase II, which will be 88 km long and will be built at a cost of Rs58 billion and will run from Chakdara to Fatehpur. It was also revealed that a contractor deal for the project’s construction had been inked.

    It was revealed that Rs6.7 billion had been allocated for the project’s land acquisition. In addition, section four was implemented for the purchase of land.

    Project Plan

    Swat motorway will have four lanes at first and will be expanded to six lanes later. Chakdara Interchange, Shamozai Interchange, Barikot Interchange, Mingora Interchange, Kanju Interchange, Malam Jabba-University of Swat Interchange, Sher Palam Interchange, Matta Khawazakhela Interchange, and Madin-Fatehpur Interchange would be among the nine interchanges.

    On the Swat River, a total of eight bridges will be built. The project also includes the construction of four rest spots in various places, as well as the construction of connection highways if required.

    PHA officials briefed the meeting on Dir Motorway that an Expression of Interest for a 30 km long Dir Motorway from Chakdara to Rabat had been floated. Three interchanges, four flyovers, 24 bridges, two underpasses, and two tunnels will be part of this road project.

    These developments, according to the Chief Minister, would help boost tourism, trade, and economic operations, making them a “milestone” for the long-term growth of the Malakand division. These initiatives will also provide employment chances for locals in addition to improving transportation facilities.