Govt likely to form panel for PK Halder’s extradition
The government will likely form an inter-ministerial committee to bring back Prashanta Kumar Halder, better known as PK Halder, from India to Bangladesh. Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) acting secretary Sayeed Mahbub Khan disclosed the matter to the media after an inter-ministerial meeting on Thursday. "We have requested the home ministry, foreign ministry, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) and Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) in Bangladesh to accelerate the extradition of PK Halder," he said. “Considering the commission’s request, the home ministry called an inter-ministerial meeting to discuss how to bring him back properly in line with existing law,” he added. The decision had yet to be finalized, he said, adding that if needed an inter-ministerial committee would be formed after collecting relevant data from the authorities in West Bengal.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 19, 2022 15:54 UTC
Standard Chartered Launch SCWomenInTech Cohort4
After three successful years in Pakistan, Standard Chartered Bank in partnership with INNOVentures Global (Pvt.) Limited, announced the launch the Cohort 4 of SCWomeninTech. They are an important part of our entrepreneurship offering within Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, our global initiative to tackle inequality and promote economic inclusion. This initiative further builds upon Standard Chartered’s focus on increasing women’s access to entrepreneurial finance and supporting adolescent girls and women through capacity building. The WiT Incubators were first launched in October 2014 by Standard Chartered Americas as a local community project.
Source:The Nation
May 19, 2022 13:18 UTC
Pakistan reports 89 COVID-19 cases, one death in 24 hours
Pakistan has reported one death in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has risen to 1,529,558. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 30,379 on Thursday. According to the latest figures by the National Institute of Health (NIH), at least 89 persons were tested positive for COVID-19 across the country in the past 24 hours. Pakistan has conducted 17,343 tests in the past 24 hours out of which 89 persons were tested positive for the disease. The COVID Positivity Ratio was recorded at 0.51 percent.
Source:The Nation
May 19, 2022 09:51 UTC
Austin FC tops LAFC 2-1; Vela reaches milestone with a PK
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis) APRuben Gabrielsen and Diego Fagúndez scored, propelling Austin FC to a 2-1 victory over Los Angeles FC Wednesday night. Vela scored on a penalty kick in the 86th minute, giving him 62 goals and 38 assists in 98 regular-season matches. “In the second half, we had chances but we are missing something. Austin FC already has seven victories in its first 12 matches after winning nine all last season. “If I make a better play and don't draw a penalty kick maybe we don’t have as much chaos.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 19, 2022 06:05 UTC
US ‘very pleased to be working’ with new Pakistan govt
ISLAMABAD/NEW YORK – Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a meeting with his US counterpart Antony J. Blinken in New York on Wednesday. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed expanding partnership in climate, investment, trade, and health as well as people-to-people ties. We are very pleased to be working with the foreign minister, with a new government in Pakistan,” Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said. Responding to a question, the foreign minister said international community should focus on dealing with humanitarian crisis instead of blame game. Regarding a question about Pakistan, he said unity government in Pakistan is striving to deal with the issues of terrorism, economy and democracy.
Source:The Nation
May 19, 2022 03:38 UTC
'Zardari sitting at Centre while nation is abusing PM Shehbaz, PML-N,' says Imran Khan
PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan addressing a public gathering in Gujranwala. — Screengrab via YouTube/PTIGUJRANWALA: PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is "rejoicing while sitting at the Centre" while the nation is abusing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Addressing a jalsa in Gujranwala, Khan said: "Zardari is present at the Centre, ruling Sindh, making money while the people are abusing PM Shehbaz and PML-N."Berating the Sharif brothers, the PTI chairman said: "Shehbaz is asking what to do after becoming the prime minister. Khan further said that he neither bowed before anyone in a servile manner nor will let the people of Pakistan do that Khan and that the office of the prime minister had no value before his eyes. The PTI chairman thanked the Supreme Court for serving justice to those "who sold their consciences (turncoats)."
Source:The Nation
May 19, 2022 02:14 UTC
Pakistan Army stands for nation in all testing times: Gen Qamar
PHOTO: ISPRChief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of martyrs, saying that the Pakistan Army has always stood for its people in all testing times. It is the Pakistan Army that has always stood for its people whether it is a flood, a hurricane or an earthquake. You will find the Pakistan Army at all testing times," the military's media wing quoted the COAS as saying. "The great heirs of the martyrs, ghazi officers and soldiers, general officers, recipients of SI(M) and my brave soldiers, peace be upon you!" "The Pakistan Army is the only army in the world who has been successful in eradicating terrorism.
Source:The Nation
May 19, 2022 01:02 UTC
Sri Lanka in throes of economic, political crises
Located in the Indian Ocean southwest of the Bay of Bengal, the pear-shaped South Asian Island nation Sri Lanka is in the throes of its worst-ever economic and political crisis. He also proposed selling off Sri Lankan Airlines as part of an effort to stabilize the nation’s finances. Cut in fertilizer importsBefore the ban, Sri Lanka used to spend around US$ 400 million annually on fertilizer imports. Of the total tourists who visited Sri Lanka till February, Russians accounted for 15.8% and Ukrainians accounted for 8.7%. About 167,863 Chinese tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2019, according to a report published by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
Source:The Nation
May 19, 2022 00:00 UTC
Imran builds tempo for his long march
The former prime minister claimed that police officials will also send their families with the participants of the long march to the federal capital. Imran Khan said his government was removed from power because Pakistan was achieving economic prosperity. Lashing out at former president Asif Ali Zardari, Imran Khan said that Zardari was Pakistan's biggest beemari (disease). The former prime minister said that the Sharif brothers are stuck and don't know what to do. "They have the ocean in front of them and behind them, they see Imran Khan along with the entire nation.... what can they do?
Source:The Nation
May 18, 2022 23:42 UTC
Cover for the Corrupt?
When conviction was close, the corrupt were provided cover. Now dollars can be loaded into private aircrafts and flown out of the country unhindered, providing complete cover for money laundering. The current regime of the ‘Crime Minister’ has so far performed to its own agenda of ‘Cover for the Corrupt’. The corrupt have been provided a cover but they stand marked and exposed. The current regime of the ‘ Crime Minister ‘ has so far performed to its own agenda of ‘Cover for the Corrupt’.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 18, 2022 21:59 UTC
Game Notes G1 Oilers @ Flames: Key Matchups
The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames aren’t going to make any significant changes to how they play. — In their final 38 games the Oilers and Flames each had 55 points. Last season v. the Jets, because of all the overtime games, McDavid averaged 30:24/game. The Oilers won in seven games in 1984 and 1991, while Calgary won in seven in 1986. Edmonton won 5-1 and Calgary won 9-5.
Source:The Nation
May 18, 2022 21:41 UTC
2-day special COVID-19 booster dose drive concludes
ISLAMABAD – A two-day special COVID-19 booster dose administration campaign concluded in the capital on Wednesday. The main objective of the campaign was to encourage COVID-19 vaccine booster uptake. During the campaign, 16 camps were established, in addition, to already established COVID-19 vaccination centers, from where citizens got booster doses. The CDC, NIH, and Ministry of National Health Services urged the public and private offices to instruct their officials to get COVID-19 booster shots to enhance immunity against the virus.
Source:The Nation
May 18, 2022 21:36 UTC
Votes of defectors will not be counted, rules SC
The Supreme Court on Tuesday by a majority 3:2 decision held that defecting lawmakers’ votes could not be counted. The SC announced its opinion on the presidential reference seeking interpretation of Article 63-A. Political parties are an integral aspect of the bedrock on which our democracy rests. The order stated that Article 63-A should not need to be invoked at all; its mere existence, a brooding presence, should be enough. Article 63-A should therefore be given that interpretation and application accord with and is aligned as closely as possible to, the ideal situation.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 18, 2022 19:12 UTC
TTP extends ceasefire until May 30
The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Wednesday announced an extension in a ceasefire with the government of Pakistan. In a statement, TTP spokesman Mohammad Khurasani said that the ceasefire would remain in place until May 30. “The committees called for a ceasefire by both sides in light of the ongoing talks. Therefore, keeping in view the demand, both sides have announced a ceasefire until May 30,” he said. “The Islamic Emirate Afghanistan, in a good faith, is making efforts to take the process forward.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 18, 2022 17:53 UTC
Govt is committed to serve nation providing health, employment & social safety: Shazia
Govt is committed to serve nation providing health, employment & social safety: ShaziaMinister of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Ms. Shazia Marri says the government is committed to serve the nation providing health, employment and social safety under the leadership of leaders of allied parties. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday evening along PPP leader Faisal Karim Kundi, she said that the general public during the tenure of previous government has faced inflation, unemployment and other huge difficulties in the country. She said the inflation ratio was risen at historical stage during Imran Khan's tenure and his governing style posed a threat to the country as he accepted the most risky conditions of the IMF and borrowed historic loans. Addressing at the event Faisal Karim Kundi said that Imran Khan should also tell the nation about the performance of his government. He said PTI Chairman has right to hold a meeting but he should not make baseless allegations.
Source:The Nation
May 18, 2022 12:32 UTC