Saturday, July 18, 2026
Home Blog Page 2698

‘Bilawal must return looted public money’

By
admin
-

Zubair Ahmad

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib on Friday asked Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto to help the government clear foreign debts by bringing back the looted public money stashed by his father Asif Ali Zardari abroad.

“If you (Bilawal) are really concerned about the foreign loans then bring back the money dumped by your father in Swiss banks, halt the process of money laundering through (characters like) Ayan Ali, and return money hoarded through ‘Omni groups’ in fake bank accounts,” he said while criticizing the PPP leader over his misleading presser on the government’s economic achievements.

The minister told a press conference that the opposition parties were perturbed over the historic triumphs of present government on the economic front, and were trying to mislead the public through incorrect data.

He reminded Bilawal about the PPP-led government’s deal with the International Monetary Fund in 2008 and the unprecedented surge of 32 per cent in the foreign loans to $61 billion from $46 billion at the end of its tenure in 2013.

Pakistan keen to diversify ties with Azerbaijan: Alvi

By
admin
-

Prof. Sahiba Gafarova emphasized the need for increasing interactions between the two countries at economic, political, cultural and strategic levels

Ansar M Bhatti

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan wants to further strengthen bilateral ties with Azerbaijan, particularly in the fields of trade, energy, defence, culture and tourism. He said that Pakistan attached utmost significance to its ties with Azerbaijan as both countries had shared religion, values, culture, as well as commonalities of views on regional and international issues. He made these remarks while talking to the visiting Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan, Prof. Sahiba Gafarova, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr,.

The President underscored the need for exchanging political, cultural, and economic delegations at high levels to further solidify bilateral cooperation. He congratulated the government and people of Azerbaijan on liberation of their territories from occupation of Armenia and signing of landmark peace agreement.

The President appreciated the steadfast support extended by Azerbaijan to the legitimate cause of Kashmiri people. He expressed the hope that her visit would further deepen bilateral relations. He asked the Speaker to communicate his good wishes to the people and government of Azerbaijan. Prof. Sahiba Gafarova emphasized the need for increasing interactions between the two countries at economic, political, cultural and strategic levels. She also underlined the need for promoting cultural ties to build bridges between the people of the two brotherly countries. She conveyed that the people and political leaderships of Azerbaijan were highly grateful to Pakistan for supporting her country’s stance on Nagorno-Karabakh. She added that her country would continue to support Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir at all forum.

Bad days over; now time for growth: PM

By
admin
-

Says self-proclaimed democrats (Opposition parties) are calling on the military to overthrow the government; declares that covid surge witnessing downward trend

Ansar Mahmood Bhatti

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said the country’s economic turnaround had brought down the curtains on bad days and heralded the time for economic growth, wealth creation and jobs for youth. “I believe, we have gone through the worst time. Insha Allah (God willing), in the coming days, Pakistan’s growth will not be turbulent with up and down cycles. Pakistan will start its journey from when it was fourth largest economy in Asia in 1968 after Japan, China and India,” he said addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of Lodhran-Multan road.

The 62-kilometer North-Bound section of N-5 will connect three district of Multan, Lodhran and Bahawalpur. The project will complete in two years costing around Rs 6.8 billion.  Referring to the Opposition, PM Khan said that these self-proclaimed democrats are calling on the military to overthrow the government.

From day one, the PTI government faced criticism from the Opposition, which was poised to topple the government unless their leaders were given an NRO, says Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“My own people had to face a tough time. The media also gave an impression that Naya Pakistan can emerge by switching a button on,” he said. The prime minister, who earlier unveiled the plaque to launch work on two-lane road, said the incumbent government had constructed three times more road comparing the previous one which used to known only for constructing the roads.

He said within days of assuming the government, the opposition and media started questioning the Naya Pakistan and also made notions about government’s failure. He said the government also faced criticism from the opposition which were poised to topple the government unless their leaders were given NRO.

“My own people had to face tough time. The media also gave an impression as Naya Pakistan can emerge by switching a button,” he said. The prime minister said it always took time to change the status quo as the mafias resisted any such movement to protect their interests.

 Similarly, the opposition also yearned for the government’s failure to protect their laundered money and properties abroad. He said rule of law was the only factor behind the nations’ success as all the developed countries had no room for mafias and everyone was accountable before law.

He said Pakistan sailed through the COVID situation owing to the government’s prudent policies contrary to India, despite the fact that both the countries had almost identical population density and weather conditions.

He said government took a year to stabilize the economy and in second year it was hit by pandemic but it managed well by maintaining a balance between the lives and livelihood.

Now, the prime minster said as the economy had made a turnaround, the government was focusing the agriculture sector by ensuing timely and reasonable payments of crops to the farmers who also got bumper crop this year.

Moreover, the government was about to announce a special package for the farmers besides promoting industrial sector through special economic zones to boost exports. Similarly, he said the IT sector was also under the government’s focus to exploit immense potential as India was earning around $80 billion from IT exports.

Imran Khan said the construction of 10 dams was in progress to produce clean energy and utilize the 50,000MW potential of hydropower. For the first time, massive scale plantation was being made under Ten Billion Tree Tsunami and new national parks being developed, he said. He said as the COVID-19 curve was on downward trend particularly after mass vaccination, the government would make efforts to uplift the tourism sector which had the potential to increase foreign reserves remarkably.

Federal budget to be unveiled on June 11

By
admin
-

Khayam Abbasi

ISLAMABAD:  The federal government will present budget 2021-22 on June 11 with an outlay size of around Rs8, 000 billion.

As the total size of the economy now stands at Rs52, 057 billion, the federal government is to set the economic growth target of 4.8 percent for FY22. In FY22, the government would pay around Rs3, 060 billion as debt and interest payments.

The fiscal deficit will be around Rs2, 915 billion in FY22 which would be around 5.6 percent of the GDP. The government is to set public spending target of Rs900 billion. The provincial spending target for provinces will be around Rs1, 000 billion.

 The volume of subsidies will be set at Rs530 billion for FY22. The defense spending target will be set at Rs1, 400 billion for FY22 The revenue collection target for FY22 will be set at Rs5, 820 and the non-tax collection target will be set at Rs1, 420 billion.

FEDERAL BUDGET TO BE UNVEILED ON JUNE 11

By
admin
-

ISLAMABAD, JUN 04 (DNA) – The federal government will present budget 2021-22 on June 11 with an outlay size of around Rs8,000 billion.

As the total size of the economy now stands at Rs52,057 billion, the federal government is to set the economic growth target of 4.8 percent for FY22. In FY22, the government would pay around Rs3,060 billion as debt and interest payments.

The fiscal deficit will be around Rs2,915 billion in FY22 which would be around 5.6 percent of the GDP. The government is to set public spending target of Rs900 billion. The provincial spending target for provinces will be around Rs1,000 billion.

 The volume of subsidies will be set at Rs530 billion for FY22. The defence spending target will be set at Rs1,400 billion for FY22 The revenue collection target for FY22 will be set at Rs5,820 and the non-tax collection target will be set at Rs1,420 billion. = DNA

=======================

GHUFRAN MEMON MEETS MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE OF BELARUS

By
admin
-

MINSK, JUN 4 /DNA/ – Today, Ghufran Memon, Secretary, National Food Security met with the Minister of Agriculture of Belarus. He was accompanied by Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan and members of the business delegation from Pakistan representing fruits/vegetables, fertiliser, dairy products and auto parts.

While appreciating the warm hospitality of the Belarusian government, Mr Memon  shared his first hand experiences of the exhibition, several meetings with relevant partners in Minsk and assured to work for solidifying bilateral cooperation especially in the Agricultural Sector.

The Minister briefed the delegation members on the overall economic portfolio of the country, priority sectors for cooperation and expressed readiness to follow up implementation on various agreements and MOUs already signed between the two countries. He showed willingness on the part of Belarusian side to host the next round of Joint Working Group session during July 2021.

SANJRANI ASSURES PAKISTAN’S COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING COOPERATION WITH AZERBAIJAN

By
admin
-

DNA

Islamabad, JUN 4 – Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani has called for closer Pakistan-Azerbaijan cooperation for the development of political and economic relations between the two countries. Exchanges of a high-level delegation, trade ties, and people-to-people contact will bring the two fraternal countries more closer, he stated while talking to the Speaker of Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova, who called on him here at Parliament House on Friday.

During the meeting,  matters of mutual interest, regional security situation, and bilateral relations were discussed in detail.

Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations are based on mutual trust, confidence, common historical, cultural, and religious similarities, said Sadiq Sanjrani. “ Pakistan cherishes its cordial relation with Azerbaijan. There is a dire need to further enhance parliamentary and institutional cooperation”, he added.

The Chairman Senate thanked the visiting delegation for participating in the 2nd General Conference of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Economic cooperation organization (PAECO). High-level parliamentary contacts and exchange of delegations should continue, he stressed.

Talking to the visiting dignitary, the Chairman underscored that the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group can be a forum to further cement bilateral ties. “There is an urgent need to make the Parliamentary Friendship Group more active and viable forum”, he said. He also stressed the need to reinvigorate the Parliamentary Union of ECO member states.

“Pakistan is committed to promoting cooperation in various fields, inter alia, including trade, energy, and other areas of common interest. Both countries have always supported each other’s posture on global issues of common interest”, he observed.

Touching upon the issue of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, the Chairman underlined that Pakistan has always supported Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity under the UN resolution. Pakistan fully supports Azerbaijan’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, he maintained.

While exchanging views on the COVID-19 Pandemic, Sanjrani pointed out that the whole world is currently facing the Corona epidemic and routine life has been immensely disturbed. Only through joint strategy and efforts, we can be able to contain the epidemic, he said.

The Chairman also briefed the visiting dignitary about the role and procedure of business of the Upper House in the Parliament.

Sanjrani thanked Azerbaijan for its extended cooperation and support on various issues and stated that the exemplary cooperation will continue in the future as well.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan said his country also attaches immense importance to its relationship with Pakistan. Sahiba Gafarova also expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for extending diplomatic support on Nagorno Karabakh. The Speaker of Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova later on recorded his remarks in the “Visitor’s Book”.

Leader of the House, Senator Dr. Shehzad Waseem, Chief Whip of PTI in the Senate, Senator Fida Mohammad, Senator Dilawar Khan, Senator  Nuzhat Sadiq, Senator  Rukhsana Zubair, member National Assembly  Shandana Gulzar Khan, and Secretary Senate Mohammad Qasim Samad Khan were also present during the meeting.

ELECTION FOR CHAIRMANSHIP OF SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES HELD AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE

By
admin
-

DNA

ISLAMABAD – Elections for the Chairmanship of the Standing Committees were held under the relevant rules of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate , 2012 here at the Parliament House, on Friday.

1- Senator Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Reseach. Senator Seemee Ezdi and Senator Kamran Murtaza, proposed the name for the elected chairman.

2-  Senator Walid Iqbal has been unanimously elected as the Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights. His name was proposed by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Senator Gurdeep Singh which was seconded by all the members of the committee

3- Senator Musadiq Masood Malik has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources. Senator Hamayun Mohmand and Senator Gurdeep Singh proposed the name for the chairpersonship of the elected chairperson.

Leader of the House in the Senate, Dr Shehzad Waseem, Leader of the Opposition, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Parliamentarians and other High Ranking Officials of the Senate also Participated in the Elections.

All the participants congratulated the newly elected chairpersons and assured full support and co-operation in smooth running of the affairs of the committee.

GERMAN AMBASSADOR MEETS SENATOR YOUSUF RAZA GILANI

By
admin
-

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUN 4 – German Ambassador “Mr. Bernhard Schlagheck” called on Senator Yousuf Raza Gilani, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Leader of the Opposition in Senate, today here at Parliament House, Islamabad, wherein the matters of mutual interest and the current political situation in the country were discussed in detail. The two sides discussed a wide range of issues with a focus on Pakistan-Germany relations and the current political situation in the country.

Senator Gillani sharing details of his visit to Germany during his premiership stressed the need of furthering the cordial ties between the two countries especially enhanced cooperation in Economic and Trade sectors. He stated that during his visit to Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel remarked that stabilizing the economy of Pakistan will help it combat terrorism, this is the reason our cooperation should be focused on trade not aid. The hon’ble Leader of the Opposition recalled during his visit signed a new economic agreement with Germany to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries. The new economic agreement replaced the old bilateral economic agreement signed in 1959, and provided greater legal protections for German investment in Pakistan.

Senator Yousuf Raza Gilani also discussed the relations with European Union and GST Plus Status with the Ambassador and they both agreed that both the countries will support each other on core issues at different international forums.

Both the dignitaries stressed the need for further cooperation in different sectors through enhanced Parliamentary interaction.

Senator Sherry Rehman and Member Provincial Assembly “Syed Ali Haider Gilani” were also present during the Call-on.

EMIRATES RESTARTS FLIGHTS TO PHUKET

By
admin
-
DNA
Karachi, JUN 4 – Emirates has announced it will resume four weekly services to the resort island of Phuket from 2nd July 2021, with the re-opening of the popular destination to international tourists. Furthermore, those who are vaccinated against COVID-19 will enjoy hassle-free travel, with no quarantine on arrival. With measures in place to ensure a safe reboot of Phuket’s tourism industry, customers travelling to the destination known for its sprawling beaches and white sands, will enjoy quarantine-free travel to one of the world’s most-loved holiday spots.

The Dubai-Phuket route will be operated with a Boeing 777-300ER in a three-class configuration, offering premium services in First and Business Class as well as Economy Class. Emirates flight EK378 will depart Dubai on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 03:00hrs, arriving at Phuket International Airport at 12:30hrs the same day. The return flight, EK379, will depart Phuket at 00:10 hrs, on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, arriving in Dubai at 03:05hrs the same day (all times are local).

The four weekly services will provide customers convenience and choice to suit their holiday plans. The popular Thai destination remains a favourite amongst travellers from the Middle East, Europe and beyond. Emirates also resumed flights to Bangkok since September 2020, providing a daily service.

Flights to Phuket can be booked by visiting www.emirates.com or through preferred travel agents. For more details on entry requirements to Phuket and mandatory documentation for non-Thai nationals, customers can check the travel requirements page on emirates.com.

Emirates has been gradually rebuilding its global network, in a safe and sustainable manner and has resumed passenger services to over 120 destinations, allowing travellers to conveniently connect to the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia Pacific via Dubai.

Emirates remains focused on taking various steps to ease travel and has been a leader in introducing initiatives in cooperation with health authorities and organisations to protect the health of customers and to ensure their safety. Emirates introduced measures on the ground throughout all touchpoints and onboard to provide its passengers with the highest safety and hygiene standards at every step of the journey. The airline has also recently introduced contactless technology to ease the customer journey through Dubai airport.

Emirates continues to lead the industry with innovative products and services that address traveller needs during a dynamic time. Recently the airline took its customer care initiatives further with even more generous and flexible booking policies, an extension of its multi-risk insurance cover, and helping loyal customers retain their miles and tier status.

Since it safely resumed tourism activity in July 2020, Dubai remains one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, especially during the winter season. The city is open for international business and leisure visitors. From sun-soaked beaches and heritage activities to world class hospitality and leisure facilities, Dubai offers a variety of world-class experiences. It was one of the world’s first cities to obtain Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) – which endorses Dubai’s comprehensive and effective measures to ensure guest health and safety. For more information on entry requirements for international visitors to Dubai visit: www.emirates.com/flytoDubai.

1...2,6972,6982,699...4,115Page 2,698 of 4,115

Stay Connected

64FansLike
60FollowersFollow

Latest Reviews

Exchange Rates

USD - United States Dollar
EUR
1.14
GBP
1.34
AUD
0.70
CAD
0.71

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© Centreline Magazine