Page 155 - Pakistan

Pakistan gets 2nd batch of six J-10C combat aircraft from China: Reports

As per local media reports in Pakistan, the second batch of six China-made J-10C aircraft has arrived in Pakistan, taking the total number of such fighter jets to 12.

Death toll in Pakistan flooding rises to 1,559 with 15 new fatalities

The overall death toll in Pakistan from the devastating floods has increased to 1,559, with 12,850 others injured, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said

Army chief should be appointed on merit, says Pak's ousted PM Imran Khan

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan on Monday reiterated that the new army chief should be appointed on merit, asserting that the coalition government should not be allowed to appoint the next head of the powerful army. Addressing a rally in Punjab's Chakwal district, he also talked about the traitors who toppled his government and the failure of the current government to fix the economy. "Army chief should be appointed on merit and I believe only those nations prosper which follow merit, Khan said. Army chief General Javed Bajwa, 61, would retire on November 29 and his successor is expected to be announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who is legally authorised to appoint the army chief. No country can prosper without meritocracy. You have no future when our 60% cabinet members are out on bail and our leaders are Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari, he said. Khan also said that the nation will not forget those traitors who imposed this "imported government" upon them, accusi

Pakistan court drops terrorism charges against former PM Imran Khan

In a major relief to former prime minister Imran Khan, a Pakistani court on Monday ordered to delete terror charges in a case against him for making controversial remarks against a female judge during a rally here last month. During a rally here on August 20, 69-year-old Khan had threatened to file cases against top police officials, election commission and political opponents over the treatment meted out to his aide Shahbaz Gill, who was arrested on charges of sedition. He had also taken exception to Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry, who had approved Gill's two-day physical remand at the request of the police, and said she should "prepare herself as action would be taken against her." Hours after the speech, Khan was booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act for threatening police, judiciary and other state institutions at his rally. He had challenged the case in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) where a two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the

WHO warns of '2nd disaster' in Pakistan amid fears of water-born diseases

WHO expressed grave fears over what it termed to be a "second disaster" in the flood-hit Pakistan, where massive areas are left with standing water triggering water-borne diseases

Pakistan, China hail 'all-weather' friendship; IMF aid may create tensions

Pakistan and China hailed their friendship after their leaders met on the sidelines of the SCO summit but analysts warned that IMF's terms could create tension between two countries

WHO concerned over soaring water-borne diseases due to floods in Pakistan

The World Health Organisation has expressed fears about an impending second disaster of water-borne diseases in Pakistan in the wake of devastating floods that has wreaked havoc in several parts of the country. In a statement issued by the WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the global health watchdog said that water supply was disrupted in flood-hit areas of Pakistan, forcing people to drink unsafe water which could cause cholera and other diseases. The WHO has cautioned people across flood-hit areas of Pakistan, precisely the worst affected Sindh province to be extra careful. Tedros on Saturday highlighted that stagnant water serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and spreads vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue and urged donors to continue to respond generously to save lives and prevent more suffering. Separately, the WHO Director general tweeted that he was deeply concerned about the potential for a 2nd disaster in Pakistan, spreading disease and threatening .

Pakistan in talks with Russia on importing oil on deferred payment: Report

Pakistan is in talks with Russia on the possibility of importing oil on deferred payment, according to a media report on Sunday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had three meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan's Samarkand city, which concluded last week, the Express Tribune newspaper reported quoting a top government official. "One was formal and the rest were informal," said the official, who was part of the prime minister's delegation. "What we have discussed during the recent interaction with the Russian side is the possibility of importing oil on deferred payment," the official said, adding that Moscow has shown inclination to consider the proposal. If the proposal is materialised, it will be a landmark development given that Pakistan imports oil from Gulf countries and in the past Saudi Arabia and UAE supplied Pakistan oil on deferred payment. However, it is not clear if the government

Pak food importers at mercy of grey market owing to dollar crunch: Report

This situation has forced the government to immediately allow imports of these foodstuffs from neighbouring countries to bridge the supply and demand gap

Pakistan will 'absolutely not' default on debts despite floods: FinMin

No default coming, says Finance Minister Miftah Ismail who expects current account deficit widening to be capped at $2 bn; Ismail says $5-bn investment from UAE, Qatar, Saudi coming this fiscal year

Saudi confirms rollover of $3-bn deposit for a year: State Bank of Pakistan

The State Bank of Pakistan on Sunday said Saudi Arabia has confirmed the rollover of a USD 3 billion deposit for one more year. The deposit was set to mature on December 5, the SBP tweeted, adding that the amount was placed with the central bank as part of its foreign exchange reserves. "Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has confirmed a rollover of $3bn deposit maturing on 5 Dec22 for one year. Deposit is placed with SBP and is part of its forex reserves. This reflects the continuing strong and special relationship between KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Pakistan," the bank tweeted. The agreement for the deposit was originally signed in November 2021 with an aim to improve the SBP's foreign exchange reserves. Saudi Arabia had agreed to revive its financial support to Pakistan in October 2021, including about USD 3 billion in safe deposits and USD 1.2 billion worth of oil supplies on deferred payments. Pakistan has been facing a shortfall in foreign reserves and the rupee has been

Pak PM Shehbaz to consult brother Nawaz on Army chief's appointment: Report

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will decide on the appointment of the next Army chief after discussing the matter with former premier Nawaz Sharif in London, according to a media report. Nawaz Sharif, the elder brother of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has been living in London since November 2019 when he was allowed to go there for medical treatment but never returned. He served thrice as the prime minister of Pakistan and appointed at least four Army chiefs. Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, 61, would retire on November 29. The prime minister, who arrived in London on Saturday arrived to attend the state funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II, will also meet Nawaz Sharif during his stay in the city and discuss the appointment of the next Army chief with him, The Express Tribune newspaper reported. The Prime Minister would make the decision on the appointment of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) after discussing the matter with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, the newspaper

Surge in dengue fever continues in Pakistan amid devastating floods

A surge in dengue fever cases continues in parts of Pakistan amid the ongoing outbreak that occurred due to floods in the country, the health authorities said

Shehbaz Sharif likely to meet Joe Biden during his UNGA visit: Report

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to meet US President Joe Biden during his visit to New York to attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly next week, a media report said on Saturday. Sharif on Saturday left for the United States via London to participate in the UN General Assembly Sessions beginning from September 20, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. He will also represent Pakistan at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London on September 19 and later depart for the US on a five-day trip during which he will also hold meetings with the heads of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB). Cash-strapped Pakistan is seeking help from close allies to overcome its financial woes. Last month, the IMF approved a USD 1.1 billion bailout package for Pakistan. The IMF has approved the disbursement of more than USD 1.1bn to Pakistan, reviving a stalled USD 7bn assistance package expected to help stave off default despite a severe ..

United Nations body says Pakistan floods impacted 16 million children

An estimated 16 million children have been impacted by "super floods" in Pakistan with at least 3.4 million of them needing immediate lifesaving support, the UN has said. The situation is extremely grim in flood-hit areas with malnourished children battling diarrhoea, dengue fever, and several painful skin diseases, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) representative Abdullah Fadil said in a statement on Friday. Fadil, who recently concluded a two-day visit to the flood-affected areas of Sindh, said floods had now claimed the lives of at least 528 children. "Each and every one of these deaths is a tragedy that could have been averted," he said. An estimated 16 million children have been impacted by these super floods' and at least 3.4 million girls and boys remain in need of immediate, lifesaving support. "Young children are living out in the open with their families, with no drinking water, no food, and no livelihood, exposed to a wide range of new ...

Shehbaz-Biden meeting likely during Pakistan PM's US visit, says report

The Prime Minister, who will be accompanied by key members of his federal cabinet is scheduled to address the UNGA on September 23

Pakistan facing risk of fresh floods, more deaths as toll crosses 1,500

Although waters have started receding in some areas, authorities are worried heavy rains in parts of neighboring India could swell key rivers in Pakistan

Pakistani rupee continues to fall against US dollar on rising import bills

The dollar, since its recent low of 213.90 PKR, has now gone up by 22.94 PKR

Sunni Muslim groups TTP, TLP incite sectarian violence across Pakistan

Sunni Muslim groups, the Deobandi Tehereek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the rival Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) that represents the Barelvis, are fomenting sectarian violence across Pakistan.A just-published study by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) on September 5 said that this could grow with the current political acrimony and economic stress which threatens the vast region around Pakistan, reported Islam Khabar.Titled "A New Era of Sectarian Violence in Pakistan Asia Report" it predicts that the TLP, recognized by the Election Commission of Pakistan as a political party despite its record of violence, could consolidate its political clout and threaten the mainstream political discourse during the elections, as of now due in the summer of 2023.The report reinforces the conclusion reached by security experts earlier that the TTP, TLP, and other militant groups have become affiliates of the Islamic State Province of Khorasan (ISPK) that have grown out of the ...

Pakistan crowdfunds $40 mn for dam but spent $63 mn on its ads: Report

he heavily advertised crowdsourced campaign, which was launched by a Supreme Court judge and was endorsed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan is the mega dam caught in a scandal.