The federal government on Friday hiked price of petrol by Rs25.58 to Rs100.10 per litre for the month of July 2020. The government had provided relief to during the COVID-19 pandemic almost two months ago, when petrol prices were significantly reduced. The price of diesel has gone up to Rs101.46 per litre from the existing Rs80.15, relfecting an increase of Rs21.31.
Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar has announced that 262 pilots would be barred from flying because of ‘dubious’ credentials. The pilots in the line of fire include 141 from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), 10 from Serene Airline and nine from Air Blue. Others belong to flying clubs or chartered plane services. In total, there are 860 pilots in the country, 753 pilots serving locally and 107 in foreign ones.
Footage of Prime Minister Imran Khan calling slain al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden a martyr has gone viral, especially in India where their official propaganda machine has gone into an overdrive to malign Pakistan. However, the premier merely misspoke as has been clarified by his spokesperson. Special assistant to PM, Dr Shahbaz Gill denounced an “unwarranted attempt” to create a controversy.
Unilever Pakistan announced on Thursday the next step in the evolution of its skin care portfolio, with the rebranding of its flagship brand Fair & Lovely. To make the brand more inclusive, the company would stop using the word ‘fair’. The new name of the product would be announced after the necessary regulatory approval, a statement said.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Thursday expressed concern over the ‘serious lapse in the licensing and safety oversight by the aviation regulator’ in Pakistan. The international body’s comments came after the federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan in the National Assembly declared that 150 pilots of the national flag carrier had fake licences.
Etihad Airways has announced its decision to suspend its flight operations from Pakistan, a day after passengers who had travelled to Hong Kong by Emirates positive for Covid-19. Flight operations of Etihad airways are expected to remain suspended till July 1. Two other airlines from UAE, Emirates and Fly Dubai, have already suspended flight operations for outbound passenger from Pakistan temporarily.
A latest report has revealed that wealth stashed by Pakistanis in Swiss banks has fallen by 50% to the lowest level of $377 million in 2019. The money directly linked to Pakistani nationals stood at CHF359.6 million or $377 million in 2019. Pakistanis have been constantly withdrawing their funds from Swiss banks since 2015 when Pakistan and Switzerland finalised a revised taxation treaty.
Islamabad is all set to open its first Hindu temple, named as “Shri Krishna Mandir”, to promote interfaith harmony in Pakistan. The groundbreaking ceremony was performed by Parliamentary Secretary on Human Rights Lal Chand Malhi in the city’s H-9/2 area. Pakistan government will bear the cost of the construction of temple which is estimated at Rs100 million.
The Religious Affairs Ministry of Pakistan has decided to return the money of this year’s successful applicants of government’s Hajj scheme. Imran Siddiqui, the ministry’s spokesperson said that an emergency meeting was convened to discuss the mechanism after Saudi Arabia’s plans to host the pilgrimage in closed borders. Only 1000 pilgrims residing in the Kingdom will be allowed to perform Hajj this year.
All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has tested negative for Covid-19, a day after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said he along with seven other players have contracted the disease. In a Tweet, Hafeez clarified that a subsequent examination at a private laboratory in Lahore had cleared him. He added that his family had also tested negative and attached a picture of his medical report.