The police authorities faced severe criticism for missing out Prime Minister Imran Khan’s nephew Barrister Hassaan Niazi name in the cases registered against lawyers who attacked the Punjab Institute of Cardiology. A mobile phone footage had caught PM’s nephew Hassaan Niazi throwing stones on police on Jail Road. A senior police officer however, denied the allegation of giving favour to Hassaan Niazi.
A total of 190 million pounds from UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) have been received by National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on account of a settlement with property tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain’s family. The State Bank of Pakistan confirmed the news but declined to share details. However, the debate about whether the funds belong to state bank or the government is still ongoing.
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has initiated a project to install the latest solar power systems in its attempt to support the Clean & Green Pakistan initiative. Under this initiative, more than 700 PTCL facilities have been converted to solar power across Pakistan. As part of expanding the solar footprint to larger installations, a 180KW solar system is deployed at PTCL Headquarters that will help conserve energy and support environmental preservation.
World’s first fully-electric commercial aircraft, 1946 Havilland DHC-2 Beaver has completed a short but successful test flight. The Canadian seaplane airline company, Harbour Air, successfully tested the e-plane fitted with an electric motor that was supplied by the American firm magniX. The aircraft is now dubbed the “e-Beaver” after the successful flight. Harbour Air believes that e-planes will go into full commercial service in 2022.
Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation and Provincial Housing Authority Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a housing society in the province at an estimated cost of Rs. 97 billion. Under the plan, 15,500 grey structure houses of various sizes will be constructed by PHA Foundation over 8,500-kanal in Surizai area on Kohat Road. As per a statement, the land for this project has already been procured for Rs. 1.03 billion.
In a major development, Switzerland will now share financial information with Pakistan which will help unearth the corrupt politicians’ foreign accounts. The Swiss parliament approved 18 more countries, including Oman, Nigeria, Azerbaijan etc. for automatic exchange of financial information (AEOI). Under this treaty, Switzerland will share the details of bank accounts held by their citizens in the country, as well as foreign citizens that have Swiss bank accounts.
Pakistan is ranked second last in the list of ‘world’s most reputable countries’ comprised of 54 countries by a U-S based data and insights company. Pakistan being at 53rd spot, just one above Iran and one beneath Saudi Arabia, also below India, Bangladesh and Nigeria. The rankings are based on the countries’ tourism, economy, people’s behaviour, exports, and investments.
With more than 16,756 entries from amateur and professional photographers, 50 finalists of Agora’s #Happiness2020 World Best Photo competition, are a joyful show of how happiness looks around the world. The images capturing moments of joy occurring in all corners of the globe, from touching family moments and children playing to friends of all ages laughing together. The winning photo will be announced on January 2, 2020.
Teen activist, Greta Thunberg, from Sweden was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2019 for her efforts to address the global climate crisis. In August 2018, the 16 year old Thunberg started an environmental campaign which eventually turned into a global movement. In 16 months, Thunberg has gone from camping out in front of the Swedish Parliament to meeting heads of states.
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to a joint venture to enhance the cooperation for the upgradation and modernisation of Pakistan railways infrastructure. During a plenary session of the 6th Pak-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation here, the two sides resolved to increase volume of bilateral trade through enhanced business activities by their private sectors.