Punjab is all set to welcome 3000 Sikh pilgrims this year
In 2023,over 3000 Indian Sikh pilgrims will travel to Pakistan to celebrate Baisakhi,also known as vaisakhi. A meeting led by Habib-ur-Rehman Gilani(chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board) was convened to coordinate plans for the festival and other activities with other organizations. The meeting was attended by Shrein Deputy Secretary Rana Shahid Saleem, Shrine Deputy Secretary Saifula Kokar and Sardar Ameer Singh of Pakistani Sikh Gurudwara Prabandak Committee (PSGPC). Representatives of Federal and State Agencies,Rangers,Police and District Administration,Lahore,Nancana Sahib,Narowal and Hasan Abdal officials also attended the meeting. Deputy Secretary Shrein detailed the schedule and preparations for the Baisakhi Festival and “Khalsa Janam Day celebrations”. The additional secretary of shrines gave a detailed plan about the security and arrangements for pilgrims.
Call for Violence Against ECP: PTI Leader Fawad Chaudhry Grants Bail
Chaudhry was arrested on January 25 for “inciting violence against the constitutional body, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).”The First Information Report (FIR) against him was registered at Kosar’s Islamabad Police Station on a complaint by his ECP Chief Umar Hameed.Additional Session Judge Faizan Haider Gillani today granted bail to the PTI leader on bail valued Rs20,000. Fawad’s lawyer,Faisal Chaudhry,Babar Awan and Ali Bukhari attended the court and Saad Hassan made a pleading on behalf of his ECP.After investigators presented the case files,the judge accepted the bail request, stating,”Fawad Chaudhry should not have made such a statement”.“I grant bail on the condition that Fawad Chaudhry does not repeat such statements.”
Mickey Arthur will join Pakistani cricket team as a consultant
Mickey Arthur is being finalised to work as a consultant with the Pakistan team with his own handpicked support staff. PCB chairman Sethi confirmed the news and said “Currently Mickey Arthur is selecting his support staff which will comprise five officials.“While three officials have been picked and two are remaining,and as soon as he gives the names of his selected support staff,we will move forward to hire their services.” Arthur’s return as the Pakistan head coach has been in tal since Sethi took control of the board, replacing former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja.After that PCB did confirm its correspondence with Arthur but also suggested talks with him had fallen apart due to the coach`s contractual duties for English county side “Derbyshire”.The board once said the option to hire Arthur as either a coach or as a consultant to the PCB on a time-sharing basis with Derbyshire,was seen difficult on both sides,But last week he showed positive response to Sethi and informed about his decision.Mickey Arthur coached Pakistan from 2016 to 2019.In his period,Pakistan won 2017 ICC Champions trophy and placed on number one in the international Twenty20 ranking.But the 54-year-old was dismissed after Pakistan missed out on reaching the semi-finals of 2019 World Cup in England. Arthur, who has also coached his native country South Africa and Sri Lanka,now manages Derbyshire for 3 years contract.
Pakistan prepares for fuel shortage amid liquidity crisis
The country is in a balance of payments crisis and the depreciation of the rupee is pushing up the prices of imports.Energy accounts for the majority of import bills.Pakistan typically meets more than a third of its annual electricity needs with imported natural gas, whose prices have skyrocketed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.“There have been no shortages in the last two weeks. If no LCs (letters of credit) are currently open,there could be shortages in the next two weeks,” a senior oil company official told media. A letter of credit issued by the importer’s bank is a common form of guarantee of payment to the exporter in the oil trade.However, oil traders avoid countries such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka due to severe foreign exchange shortages. Pakistan hiked gasoline and diesel prices by 16% on Sunday to Rs 249.80 a liter and is in talks with the International Monetary Fund to lift the suspended bailout.State-owned refineries Pakistan National Oil (PSO) and Pakistan LNG Ltd have failed to win a number of fuel tenders in recent months.According to a letter from Imran Ahmed(Director General of Petroleum) at an industry conference,on the financial challenges,facing fuel importers,said “the delay in opening the LC cited the “serious liquidity problem” in the country. At the same time, the managing director of PSO said a gasoline cargo due for loading on Jan 13 has already been cancelled due to the non-opening of LCs. “He added that the country is having limited stocks and this situation can lead to dry out”.
Suicide bombing at Peshawar mosque kills 32, at least 147 injured
A powerful suicide bomber attacked a mosque near Peshawar’s police station today,killing 32 people and injuring 147, an official told media.Security officials said “the suicide bomber blew himself up while he was in the front row during a prayer service, injuring dozens of worshipers attending Zohr prayers”.The banned Teherik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.Peshawar Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud said at least 28 people were martyred and 150 injured in the blast.The injured were transferred to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar. The hospital called on citizens to donate blood for the victims.Ejaz Khan of the Metropolitan Police Peshawar (CCPO) told the media that it was too early to say anything as many police officers were still trapped under the rubble.“We are currently focusing on relief efforts. I can’t say for sure, but the mosque smells of explosives,” CCPO said. He added that the headquarters of the Peshawar Police, CTD, FRP, Elite Forces and Telecommunications Division are located at this location. Usually 300 to 400 police officers pray during Zohr time. If the explosion occurred within a police perimeter, it would be a security breach, but investigation into the matter could provide further insight,” he said.Declaration of medical emergencyActing Prime Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Muhammad Azam Khan has declared a medical emergency in all hospitals in Peshawar. The interim CM also directed rescue organizations to speed up relief efforts.
Indian team finally arrives as West Asian baseball kicks off
The Indian baseball team has been stranded at the Wagah border since arriving on Wednesday, waiting to receive a NOC from the government,the Indian baseball team has finally arrived in Pakistan via Wahga border on Friday.They came after two days since the tournament has been started.On Friday, they were allowed to travel across the border to Islamabad to compete in the West Asia Baseball Championship, which started here on Friday.In the first game of the tournament, Pakistan won his 17–0 victory over Afghanistan as Fakir Hussein scored his three runs and Wasim Akram added his two runs, including a home run. The home side’s Mohammad Hussein, Arslan, Fazal Khan, Shahzad and Mohammad Younis all scored twice.In the second match of the day, defending champions Sri Lanka defeated Nepal with 26-0 win. Nepal, Bangladesh and Palestine are other teams participating in regional competitions.The president of the Pakistan Baseball Association, Fakhar Ali Shah, expressed his joy at the arrival of the Indian player and hoped the team would play passionately.
Defendant Mariam Sees Victory in Punjab Elections After Landing in Pakistan
Aiming to win the upcoming Punjab state poll, Pakistani Muslim League sends Maryam Nawaz to Pakistan.(PML-N) chief organizer Maryam nawaz said “her party is on track to win despite rising inflation and she is not afraid of the elections”.Maryam,who was appointed senior vice-president of the party earlier this month,landed at Abu Dhabi’s Alama Iqbal International Airport around 3:30 p.m. after her flight was slightly delayed. Tasked with reorganizing her party, she is now in Pakistan after spending four months in London.She had been in London since October to spend time with her father after being acquitted in the A Avenfield referrence case.A camp was set up near airport for security reasons and senior leaders went to welcome Maryam. PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif has asked Maryam to lead rallies and meetings with Home Secretary Rana Sanaullah ahead of the upcoming Punjab elections.Addressing PML-N workers in Lahore, the senior party leader reiterated that “Nawaz would soon be among them”. Maryam thanked the leadership of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and party officials for trusting her and giving her new responsibilities.
Resolution passed against heinous act of desecrating the Holy Quran in Denmark
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mumtaz Zehra Baloch said Pakistan strongly condemned the desecration of the Quran in Denmark.This action was taken by anti-Muslim bigots who had done the same in Sweden a few days earlier. She said she regretted the repetition of this heinous act.Muslims are realizing that freedom of expression is being used to promote religious hatred and violence.Earlier on Friday, the Pakistani Senate unanimously passed resolutions condemning the heinous act of desecrating the Holy Quran in Sweden and the Netherlands.The Senate hatefully condemned this shameful case of Islamophobia and stipulated in UNGA Resolution 36/35 of 25 November 1981, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,Article 18, the European Court of Human Rights and the European Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief. UNGA resolution 56/6 of 9 November 2001 on a global agenda for dialogue between civilizations,UNGA resolution 2005/40. United Nations Commission on Human Rights, etc.
Arooj Aftab becomes first Pakistani artist to perform at Grammy Awards
Arooj Aftab is the first Pakistani to win a Grammy Award and will be the first to perform at the awards ceremony. Her accomplishments continue to grow and we are extremely proud of her.The singer will perform her nominated song ‘Udhero Na’ at the Grammys premiere ceremonyon Feb 5.On Friday,she announced on Instagram that she will be performing at the Grammys premiere ceremony before the Grammys main ceremony. Several prizes will also be announced at his premiere party. “I can’t wait for my Grammy-nominated jam ‘Udhero Na’ feat. Anoushka Shankar to play live with her for you guys at the Grammy Awards,” she wrote. She asked her followers to watch her live on February 5 at 12:30 p.m. PT at (live.grammy.com) and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.Anoushka Shankar who was a lead in Arooj’s song wrote,”Let’s do this,” while top designer HSY called it “great” and Tala Mahmoud said “it’s a good news”. Richa Moorjani of “Never Have I Ever” and American singer Jessica Betts also commented on her post. Pop superstar ‘Beyoncé’ leads the field of Grammy-nominated musicians as she takes on the likes of Adele,Harry Styles, and more to win the grand prize for Album of the Year. The “Alien Superstar” singer earned her nine nominations as music’s highest honor. That took her career to 88 and made her, along with husband Jay-Z, the most nominated artist in Grammy history.”Bad Bunny,Mary J. Blige, Brandi Carlisle,Luke Combs,Steve Lacy,Lizzo,Kim Petras and Sam Smith” will also perform at this year’s Grammy Awards.This year Aftab’s ‘Udhero Na’ was nominated for her Best Global Music Performance category. “Matt B and Eddy Kenzo’s ‘Gimme Love’, Burna Boy’s ‘Last Last’,Rocky Dawuni and Blvk H3ro’s ‘Neva Bow Down’, Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode’s ‘Bayethe’ were nominated in the same category.
IMF to visit Pakistan on January 31
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission will be in Pakistan from January 31 until February 9, where he will hold consultations related to the 9th Review. The Pakistani representative of the fund, Esther Perez Ruiz issued a statement that “the mission will visit Islamabad from January 31 to February 9 at the invitation of the authorities.According to the ninth evaluation of the fund’s growth facility,and the delegation will have discussions”. According to the IMF, “delegation will concentrate on policies to restore internal and external stability, including improving the financial position of sustainable high-quality measures while aiding the underprivileged and flood victims.” The statement said, “These steps include revitalizing the energy industry and sustaining a downward trend in circular debt as well as frequent forex market activation to address the lack of foreign money through the exchange rate. “Efforts and reforms under a strong policy are necessary to reduce the current uncertainty which will be important in strengthening Pakistan’s competitiveness, securing financial support from partners and the market and this is essential for Pakistan’s sustainable development,” it added. On the other side,media reports stated that Pakistan had asked the United States for assistance in reviving the IMF program so that the economy could be controlled by external obstacles including floods and unfavourable global economic circumstances.According to the report, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar advised the team to comprehend the difficulties caused by floods and other outside causes in order to persuade the IMF to be forgiving with Pakistan for resuming the loan program.