The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is planning to ease Covid-19 travel restrictions for Pakistanis with regards to Covid-19 restrictions. Passengers travelling to Dubai will no longer be required to show reports of a rapid antigen test upon their arrival.
Passengers arriving from Pakistan must have:
A valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate with a QR code linked to the original report for verification purposes, for a test conducted within 48 hours. Validity should be calculated from the time the sample was collected, prior to departure from an approved health facility.
A rapid COVID‑19 PCR test report with a QR code for a test conducted at the departure airport within six hours of departure.
There are specific requirements for passengers travelling to Dubai airport though. They still have to undergo another PCR test and quarantine, on arrival to the UAE until they test negative.
Meanwhile, travelers transiting through Dubai won’t be required to show a negative PCR test unless it is mandated by their final destination. Passengers must also obtain a negative PCR test received within 48 hours.
Prime Minister(PM) Imran Khan has announced that registered freelancers will be exempted from all types of taxes.
While addressing the launching ceremony of the E-commerce Portal, PM said that freelancers will not be liable to any sort of tax on their income now.
He said, “IT [sector] is youth-driven. All of these tech company owners became billionaires by the age of 20.”
He also shared that the government’s aim is to take Information technology (IT) exports upto $50 billion in the upcoming years. The exports of IT have reached $4 billion during the past two years.
He also added that women at home will be able to empower themselves by freelancing at home.
He also opened up about his future plans to work with Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates, for the IT industry. He was invited to Pakistan to honour him as he made efforts to eliminate polio disease from the country.
PM said, “But my interest was to involve him in Pakistan’s IT [industry] even if in an advisory capacity.”
In September 2021, the Information Technology Ministry of Pakistan launched a portal to register freelancers.
World Bank released a report last year in September in which it revealed that the number of freelancers is much higher than Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan energy minister Udaya Gammanpila said that the state-run petroleum company has run out of cash to buy oil, which has seriously impacted the energy sector of the country.
Gammanpila further said that Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) continued to hemorrhage cash, adding: “Earlier, we were short of dollars to import oil. Now we don’t have the rupees to buy the dollars.” According to him, the corporation lost 83 billion rupees ($415 million) last year.
Due to the country’s worsening situation, several thermal power stations were closed due to a fuel shortage on Friday.
The minister stated that a severe shortage is inevitable unless the government increases prices or the treasury offers a bailout.
Diesel is the most commonly used fuel for public transport, and motorists. Reportedly, there are long queues at understocked pumps in Sri Lanka.
Recently, the Russia-Ukraine crisis has affected the prices of the petroleum products across the world.
Cricket Australia has confirmed that they are preparing for Pakistan tour and this is the reason why their players David Warner and Mitchell Marsh will not attend the Sri Lankan series.
Chief selector of the Australian team George Bailey, while announcing the team for the Sri Lankan series, revealed that David Warner, Mitchell Marsh and others are granted leaves to prepare for the Pakistan tour.
The head coach of the Australian side, Justin Langer, will miss the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka as he will be busy preparing for Australia’s full-fledged tour to Pakistan in March this year. The Aussies will play three Tests, three ODIs as well as one T20I match against Pakistan.
Aaron Finch will continue to lead the Australian side in the series.
Australia T20I Squad:
Aaron Finch (C), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Josh Inglis, Ben McDermott, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa
On the other hand, Australian media claims that Cricket Australia and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are in a process of dialogues to play all the matches at one venue. Earlier, the first Test match of the series was set to start from March 3 in Karachi. The second in Rawalpindi from March 12 to 16 and the third in Lahore from March 21 to 25.
The Australian cricket team will be visiting Pakistan in March and April.
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has appreciated the efforts of the Sialkot business community and Rajco Industries to provide aid to the widow of Priyantha Kumara who was beaten to death and burnt by a mob in Sialkot on the basis of blasphemy.
In a tweet, PM said, “I want to appreciate the Sialkot business community for transferring $100,000 to the account of Priyantha Kumara’s widow and Rajco Industries for transferring monthly salary of $ 1667 to her account – which they will do for 10 yrs.”
I want to appreciate the Sialkot business community for transferring $ 100,000 to account of Priyantha Kumara's widow & Rajco Industries for transferring monthly salary of $ 2000 to her account – which they will do for 10 yrs.
Kumara’s family including his wife and children reside in his hometown in Sri Lanka. He used to work in Rajco Industries as a general manager and had been living in Pakistan since 2010.
Rajco Industries reportedly has sent the financial aid of $100,000 (Rs17.6m) and the salary of $1,667 (Rs293,260) for the month of December 2021 to Kumara’s window.
Last month, media reports had said that the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) raised the amount of $100,000. The chamber President Mian Imran Akbar said they are taking appropriate steps to prevent such incidents in the future. He also ensured the safety and security of foreign employees and businessmen.
Following this, Special Assistant to PM Dr Shahbaz Gill tweeted: “The funds and salary are committed by Rajco Industries for next 10 years and announced by Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan have been transferred to the account of Widow of deceased Sri Lankan Manager Mr Priyanatha Khumara in Sri Lanka”.
Funds of 100000 US $ and first salary of 1667 US Dollar committed by Rajco Industries for next 10 years and announced by Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan has been transferred to the account of Widow of deceased Sri Lankan Manager Mr Priyanatha Khumara in Sri Lanka pic.twitter.com/vde6IeXJVY
Maulana Tariq Jamil along with Special Assistant to Prime Minister and Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi met with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to extend their condolences on the death of Priyantha Kumara.
Maulana Tariq Jamil, while talking to media said, “What happened in Sialkot was torture. It was an injustice. The people responsible for the incident will be severely punished.”
“Islam is the name of security. Our faith teaches us peace. The Prophet (PBUH) has taught us that the murder of one person is the murder of humanity,” he added.
He continued by adding, “We have talked to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and apologised to him. We are ashamed.”
Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi also talked to media and said, “We have decided to take up the financial responsibility of Priyatha’s children. The deceased’s job has been offered to another Sri Lankan national.”
Priyantha Kumara was tortured to death in December, by a mob after being accused of blasphemy. A first information report (FIR) was registered against hundreds of unidentified men, including workers of the factory. Many have been arrested and are facing investigation.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry termed the meeting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Ejaz Chaudhry with Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Husain Rizvi as ‘absurd’.
While speaking on Aaj News’ political news programme ‘Rubaroo with Shaukat Paracha’, Chaudhry questioned: “I think the manner in which Ejaz Chaudhry Sahib [met] the TLP [leadership] was an absurd act. Why didn’t [he] visit the homes of the policemen who were martyred.”
“Till the time the state doesn’t stand with its martyrs who else will be their [support],” added Fawad.
“How can there be consensus? People will only fear for [their lives here],” said Fawad.
Senator Ejaz had met TLP chief Rizvi last month as a “gesture of goodwill” and to congratulate him on his release from jail. Pictures of Senator Ejaz hugging and presenting a bouquet to Mr Rizvi were widely shared on social media.
The wife of Priyantha Kumara, the Sri Lankan national working in Pakistan who was lynched to death by a mob in Sialkot, has made a request to leaders of Pakistan and Sri Lanka to serve justice.
“I got to know about the brutal murder of my husband from the news, later I saw this on the internet as well. He was a really innocent man” said the wife of Priyantha Kumara while talking to BBC.
She continued by saying, “I request leaders of Sri Lanka and Pakistan to ensure justice for my husband and two children, by bringing the perpetrators to justice.”
Priyantha Kumara was tortured to death on Friday by a mob after being accused of blasphemy. Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the incident and has said that justice will be served.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed confidence in PM Imran Khan’s commitment to punishing all those involved. The police have arrested more than 100 people involved. Some of those involved gave interviews to local news channels, taking pride in the murder.
Due to the COVID-19 crises, Pakistan exports in the region have dropped by 5.7 per cent in the nine months of the current fiscal year, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) revealed on Monday.
Pakistan exported goods and services as little as $2.788 billion to neighbouring countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, India and Iran.
Data revealed by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)
The figure is just 14.91 per cent of the total global export of Pakistan, which stood at $18.688 billion in the current fiscal year.
Pakistan largely exported to China; they are at the top of the list, leaving India and Bangladesh behind.
In terms of percentage, Pakistan exports to China are 50.46 per cent, and the remaining share is for eight other countries.
Exports to China also experienced a growth of 8.4 per cent, which is $1.407 billion in FY2021 from 1.298 billion in FY2020.
Unfortunately, the trade ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan have declined and faced political and policy turmoils. The exports to Afghanistan have fallen by 5.57 per cent that is just $746.328 million in FY2021. In FY2020, the exports between Afghanistan and Pakistan stood at $790,377 million.
Afghanistan has also been removed as the second biggest trade partner of Pakistan, and Afghanistan replaced India as the most important trade partner.
Trade ties between Pakistan and India are also topsy turvy. The government has suspended trade with India. Earlier, the Economic Corridor Committee (ECC) approved the import of cotton and yarn from India, but then the decision was reversed for political reasons.
The exports to Iran jumped 374 per cent to $0.261m in 9MFY21 from $0.055m in 9MFY20. Most of the trade with Tehran is carried out through informal channels in border areas of Balochistan.
Exports to Bangladesh decreased by 13.56 per cent that is $438.418m in FY2021. Islamabad has recently reached out to Dhaka to revive talks to facilitate trade between the two countries.
Similarly, exports to Sri Lanka dipped by 24.2 per cent to $185.883m from $245.131m in the previous year.
During Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent visit to Sri Lanka, both countries agreed to exploit the available potential of bilateral trade.
Exports to Nepal dropped by 82.6 per cent to $3.502m from the previous year while those to the Maldives dipped by 28.96 per cent to $4.044m from $5.693m.
Exports to Bhutan were recorded at $0.043m as compared to $0.094m over the last year. In March, no exports proceeds were sent to the Maldives.
On the other hand, the country’s trade deficit with the region narrowed as imports from these countries also dipped.
A Mrs World winner facing criminal charges after an on-stage fracas at a Sri Lankan beauty pageant has relinquished her title, organisers said Wednesday.
Caroline Jurie made international headlines after yanking the crown off the winner at the local segment of Mrs World in Sri Lanka at a Colombo theatre this month.
Jurie won the entire Mrs World competition last year in Las Vegas but California-based Mrs World Inc. said in a statement she had now voluntarily stepped down and the 2020 crown has now gone to runner up Kate Schneider of Ireland.
Jurie had faced social media calls to give up her title after being arrested with an associate Chula Padmendra, following the unruly scenes on stage.
Both have been charged with using criminal force and causing damage. They are on bail ahead of a first hearing on June 28.
Jurie had claimed that this year’s Mrs Sri Lanka winner Pushpika de Silva was ineligible for the prize as she was divorced. The Mrs Sri Lanka victor qualifies to enter the next Mrs World competition.
To qualify for the title, contestants must be married. De Silva is estranged from her husband, but they are legally married.
The local franchise holder for the pageant, Chandimal Jayasinghe, has demanded compensation from Jurie for damage to the stage and dressing rooms where several mirrors were smashed.
De Silva told reporters outside the Cinnamon Gardens police station in Colombo on Thursday that she was ready to drop charges if Jurie made a public apology, but she had refused.
“I tried to end this out of court, but she has refused,” de Silva said. “I can forgive, but not forget.”
There was no immediate comment from Jurie or her lawyer.
Police sources had told AFP that a court hearing was likely next week and Jurie and her associate, who crashed onto the stage, could be granted bail.
Jurie had come onto the stage claiming that de Silva was divorced and therefore not eligible for the prize. To qualify for the title, contestants must be married. De Silva is estranged from her husband, but they are still legally married.
