ISLAMABAD, APR 18 (DNA) – Prime Minister Imran Khan will pay a two-day official visit to Iran from Sunday. He is visiting Iran on the invitation of President Hassan Rouhani and it will be the first visit of the Prime Minister to Iran.The visit will include a brief stop-over in Mashhad before arriving in Tehran for bilateral talks with the Iranian leadership.The Prime Minister will also call on Iranian Supreme Leader Seyed Ali Khamenei besides holding detailed consultations with President Hassan Rouhani.
After Asad Umar, who will be the next Finance Minister?
ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – Following Asad Umar’s removal as Finance Minister, speculations regarding who will occupy the pivotal cabinet position are rife with various names coming to the forefront.The names that have emerged regarding who might possibly be appointed as the next Finance Minister include Omar Ayub, Ishrat Hussain, Hafeez Pasha and Salman Shah.Moroever, former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin was also on the list. However, he has turned the offer down.As per sources, former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan Ishrat Hussain, who presently serves as advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan for institutional reforms & austerity, is a strong contender for the position.
Next finance minister has a Herculean task ahead: Asad Umar
ISLAMABAD, APR 18 (DNA) – Outgoing Finance Minister Asad Umar held a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday, less than an hour after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led (PTI) government announced his removal as finance minister.He announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan offered him the portfolio of energy ministry but he turned down the offer and decided to quit the federal cabinet.“I would like to reiterate that my decision to step down from the federal cabinet does not mean I do not support Imran Khan’s vision for Pakistan,” he said.
Finance Minister Asad Umar on his way out
ISLAMABAD (DNA). Finance Minister Asad Umar is on his way out. He was offered to take Energy ministry but he has refused.He said he will not take any ministry however he vowed to work with Imran Khan.In his tweet on Wednesday Asad Umar said Imran Khan asked him to take energy ministry however he refused.It may be mentioned here that some more ministers are to be show the door because of their bad performance.
Pharma industry announces to slash prices of 395 essential medicines
KARACHI (DNA) – In order to provide due economic relief to masses, Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) on Wednesday announced to curtail prices of 395 essential medicines whose prices had been reduced by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) but not implemented by the pharmaceutical industry and also announced to slash prices of 464 medicines voluntarily by 10 to 15 percent.Addressing a press conference in Karachi on Wednesday, PMMA Chairman Zahid Saeed announced to reduce prices of 395 essential medicines from one percent to 471 percent as per government’s SRO no. 1610 and within 15 days, these medicines would be available on reduced prices throughout Pakistan.
British High Commissioner celebrates queen’s 93rd birthday
ISLAMABAD, APR 17 (DNA) – British High Commissioner, Thomas Drew CMG, organized a reception to celebrate the Queen’s 93rd birthday, at his residence, on Wednesday.This was the third of three Queen’s Birthday parties, following celebrations in Lahore and Karachi.The celebration of the Queen’s birthday was attended by senior government officials, politicians, military personnel, diplomats from other missions and civil society representatives.Speaking at the Queen’s Birthday Party reception the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Thomas Drew CMG, said:“Thank you all for joining us at our celebrations of the 93rd birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.
PM Imran Khan launches Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme
ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – : Prime Minister Imran Khan launched Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme at a ceremony in Islamabad on Wednesday, the mega scheme will help generate many job opportunities and generate economic activity in the countryIn the first phase, 135,000 residential units will be constructed.25,000 apartments will be constructed for government employees in the federal capital.
Nicolae Goia discusses export of manpower to Romania with Zulfi Bukhari
ISLAMABAD, APR 17 (DNA) – Nicolae Goia, Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan, called on Zulfikar Bukhari, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, to discuss issues of mutual interests.Both the dignitaries discussed the export of manpower to Romania and agreed upon deriving out a mechanism for safe and secure migration of Pakistani workers to Romania.Romanian Ambassador apprised SAPM of the recent developments that have taken place in Romania and the scenario that is going to shape up post-Brexit.
England name squad for series against Pakistan, Cricket World Cup 2019
LONDON, APR 17 (DNA) – England National Cricket Selectors have named a 15-man preliminary squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup starting at the end of May and an extended 17-man squad for the five-match Royal London ODI series against Pakistan, which precedes the World Cup.
20 bank accounts involved in money laundering, benami transactions freezed
KARACHI (DNA) – A court in Karachi on Wednesday ordered to freeze 20 bank accounts, on a request by the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR), for allegedly illicit transfer of foreign exchange, money laundering and benami transactions.The court made the decision in light of apprehensions by the FIA that the funds available in the accounts might be transferred or withdrawn. The court was told that the accounts were used to transact billions of rupees within and outside the country.
