The Economic Challenge
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s incoming coalition government has a serious challenge on its hands from the get go as it will have to grapple with a worsening economic crisis, political turmoil, and several hurdles in the foreign policy arena. The situation is further complicated by the uncertainty of how long such a coalition can function as it is composed of disparate groups that often have conflicting political and economic aims. PM Sharif has announced a raise in the minimum wage to Rs25,000 and a 10 percent hike in pensions of retired government employees. In the scenario that the programme is completed and reserves rise, the State Bank may be able to stabilise the rupee-dollar parity and instil some semblance of stability in the short-term. PM Sharif has called an urgent meeting of leading economists to discuss the dire economic situation facing the country.
Source:The Nation
April 13, 2022 09:47 UTC
Divided by borders, united by religious fanaticism
India and Pakistan are two rival countries that are always at daggers drawn with each other. Despite having different ideologies and policies, what unifies the two countries is the nascent wave of religious fanaticism and nationalism that has made it difficult for minorities to thrive and prosper. This essay is aimed to look at the historical context of the two countries and the potential factors that gave rise to religious fanaticism that we are surrounded by today. Zia’s regime was marked with certain laws that gave rise to sectarian conflicts and marginalization of religious minorities. Imran Khan’s government has completed four years of its tenure and the prevailing milieu vis-à-vis the religious tolerance in the country is in a meager state.
Source:The Nation
April 13, 2022 07:13 UTC
Team State Institutions 1, Team Cults 0
The way state Institutions distanced themselves from politics in pursuit of civilian supremacy is commendable. As a country, we have reached that level playing field after over three decades of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Unfortunately, the resistance and heat being generated from the followers of the formerly PTI led federal government is unknowingly endangering this level playing field. The time is ripe for political parties to stop relying and dragging state Institutions into affairs that no longer interests them, the time is ripe for political parties to learn free and fair election practices. Political parties must learn to fight their battles in the level playing field and stop dragging institutions into politics.
Source:The Nation
April 13, 2022 06:12 UTC
GDB 74.0 Wrap Up: Flush it and move on, Oilers fall 5-1 in lopsided loss to Minnesota
Final Score: 5-1 WildI don’t know about you fine folks that are reading this now, but I’ve hated the Minnesota Wild for yeeeeears. Draisaitl’s goal also happened to be a new club record as he recorded his 21st power play goal of the season. got the Oilers on the board (5-1) with a power play goal after he fired a wrister from the circle that made its way through a screen and beat Talbot on the glove-hand side. Draisaitl’s goal also happened to be a new club record as he recorded his 21st power play goal of the season. This Wild team is simply way too good to be coughing up freebies like that, and this was certainly not the start the boys wanted.
Source:The Nation
April 13, 2022 04:00 UTC
Nadal skips Barcelona Open, return date still uncertain
BARCELONA – Rafa Nadal is still uncertain when he can return to competitive tennis after withdrawing from this month’s ATP event in Barcelona as he recovers from a rib injury, his team told Reuters on Tuesday. The Spaniard, who has won 21 Grand Slam singles titles, was ruled out last month for up to six weeks with a stress fracture in his rib. The 35-year-old has withdrawn from this month’s Barcelona Open. “Rafa has just been withdrawn from the entry list in Barcelona,” the team said in a statement sent to Reuters. Tests in Barcelona revealed “a stress fracture of the third left costal arch.”
Source:The Nation
April 13, 2022 03:37 UTC
ITP resolves 74.8 pc complaints received on PM Portal in one month
The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) resolved more than 74.8 percent of complaints by taking prompt action on them which were received on Prime Minister Portal during last one month. According to details, the ITP took prompt action on the traffic-related complaints received on PM Portal and SSP (Traffic) Mazhar Iqbal promptly resolved them. SSP (Traffic) said that a total of 81 complaints related to traffic police were received on PM portal during last one month of which 75 were immediately resolved while feedback has been received on 42 complaints and these would be addressed soon. Moreover, ITP also resolved the complaints received it through social media tools including twitter, facebook an Instagram. Such gestures and interactions would help to promote friendly policing and image of the police would be improved, the SSP (Traffic) said.
Source:The Nation
April 12, 2022 22:59 UTC
Moody’s maintains stable outlook for Pak banking sector
ISLAMABAD – Moody’s Investors Service has maintained a stable outlook for the banking sector in Pakistan (B3 stable). Pakistani banks successfully navigated the pandemic and we expect nonperforming loans (NPLs) to remain high but broadly stable at around 9% of gross loans. Sharp increases in interest rates will also weigh on private-sector investment. Accordingly, we expect credit growth to exceed 12% in 2022. Earnings will be supported by balance sheet growth of over 15% and gradually widening interest margins due to higher interest rates.
Source:The Nation
April 12, 2022 22:10 UTC
PM Shehbaz thanks Indian counterpart for felicitations
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday thanked Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for felicitations. PM Shehbaz, in a tweet, said that Pakistan desires peaceful and cooperative ties with India. Peaceful settlement of outstanding disputes including Jammu & Kashmir is indispensable, he added. The premier reiterated that Pakistan s sacrifices in fighting terrorism are well-known and urged his counterpart to secure peace and focus on socio-economic development of people of both countries. A day earlier, Narendra Modi congratulated Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Source:The Nation
April 12, 2022 19:31 UTC
Boosting Pakistan’s export, opening employment opportunities for the nation
Service Long March Tyres (Pvt) Ltd., a collaboration of China’s Chaoyang Longmarch Tyre Co. Ltd. and Pakistan’s Service Industries Ltd., inaugurated Pakistan’s first all steel radial Truck/Bus tyre plant on 28th March, 2022. Pakistan’s first Sole Enterprise (SEZ) situated on 50 acres in Nooriabad, Sindh, was inaugurated by his Excellency President Arif Alvi. The $300 million project with active collaboration of the top Pakistani and Chinese partners will produce tyres under the brand name of SLM. of Service Long March, Mr. Omar Saeed said ‘This is a big day for Servis Group and our family. Service group the largest exporter of Tyres in Pakistan, will boost Pakistan’s tyre exports by $300 million annually at the completion of all three phases of the new project, contributing to growing Pakistan’s economy even further.
Source:The Nation
April 12, 2022 18:21 UTC
PM condemns terror attack in SW; reiterates nation’s resolve against terrorism
ISLAMABAD, Apr 12 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday strongly condemned the terrorist attack that took place in Angoor Adda area of South Waziristan. The prime minister said that the whole nation saluted Major Shujaat Hussain Shaheed and Sepoy Imran Khan Shaheed for their great sacrifices while safeguarding the motherland. “The sacrifices of our martyrs manifest Pakistan’s firm resolve against terrorism. The whole nation stood side by side with their armed forces in the war against terrorism,” the prime minister remarked. He also prayed for peace of the departed souls and strength for the bereaved families to bear the loss with equanimity.
Source:The Nation
April 12, 2022 17:53 UTC
Imran says nation should run movement for immediate elections
ISLAMABAD, APR 12 (DNA) — Former premier and Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Tuesday urged the nation that it should run a movement for holding immediate general elections in the country. The PTI chairman released a video message regarding his Peshawar Rally tomorrow (Wednesday). Imran Khan said that be ready, he is coming to Peshawar tomorrow. On the other hand, the PTI has released the rallies plan in different cities including Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi. PTI will hold a rally in Peshawar tomorrow.
Source:The Nation
April 12, 2022 16:56 UTC
Shehbaz takes helm to steady Pakistan ship
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza, naval chief, air chief and other senior military and civilian officials also attended the ceremony. Soon after the oath-taking ceremony concluded, the newly-elected prime minister took to Twitter to congratulate the nation over peaceful transition of power. “Mian Shehbaz Sharif is declared as elected Prime Minister,” Ayaz Sadiq announced following the completion of the counting process. Policy measuresIn his maiden address as prime minister in the National Assembly, Shehbaz announced an increase in salaries, pensions and the minimum wage for labourers. The United Kingdom has also always supported democracy in Pakistan and spent billions of pounds on education and other sectors in Pakistan.
Source:The Express Tribune
April 12, 2022 04:03 UTC
Pakistan: the Nation who Cried Wolf
The day Imran Khan began his term as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. Was it that he, as Captain, lead the team that won the 1992 Cricket World Cup for Pakistan? Khan leaves behind a politically polarised Pakistan soaring with inflation, one that has been brainwashed by Khan himself against the Opposition parties. Imran Khan brought hope. Finally in the words of Fatima Bhutto, “purana Pakistan was squalid” so with that in mind, let’s hope & anticipate a Better Pakistan.
Source:The Nation
April 11, 2022 20:58 UTC
PM Shehbaz congratulates nation on ‘peaceful transition of power’
In his maiden tweet after being sworn in as the country’s 23rd prime minister on Monday, Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation on a “peaceful transition of power” following days of political turmoil in the country. “I want to congratulate people of Pakistan on peaceful transition of power. I want to congratulate people of Pakistan on peaceful transition of power. — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 11, 2022PM Shehbaz said his government's focus is on providing as much relief as possible to all Pakistanis by tackling high inflation and kick-starting the “stagnant economy”. 🇵🇰 — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 11, 2022Shehbaz, a nominee of the joint opposition parties, received 174 votes for the top post days after PTI chief Imran Khan was ousted via a no-trust vote by the opposition parties.
Source:The Nation
April 11, 2022 20:33 UTC
Monday Mailbag – Who is the ideal playoff opponent?
Jason Gregor:Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf Holloway is recalled he won’t be on the PK or on the PP. He’d likely play 10-12 minutes. Tyler Yaremchuk:Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowThe Holloway conversation is interesting, but I can’t see them doing it. Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowRobin Brownlee:He looks too comfortable and lacking the consistent edge that made him an asset when he first settled in here. Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowJason Gregor:They are making the playoffs.
Source:The Nation
April 11, 2022 18:43 UTC