The British government’s Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has appointed a Pakistani economist as its Chief Economist. LSE School of Public Policy congratulated Dr. Adnan Qadir Khan. He has been the School of Public Policy’s professor and academic director for several years. Khan is a native of Dera Ghazi Khan. He studied engineering, philosophy, and international affairs at the UET and Punjab University.
Shibli Faraz, Minister of Science and Technology, has announced a million rupee prize for anyone who hacks the Pakistani electronic voting machine (EVM). According to him, the Ministry will challenge hackers to hack the EVMs. Furthermore, he stated that the EVM was the most convenient way to cast a vote. He recommended that the ECP avoid being in a controversial position.
UAE Ministry of Defence signs Dh143.98 million deal with Pakistan’s Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS) for ammunition supply. The contract was signed at the Dubai Airshow 2021, where many manufacturers from around the world exhibited modern aviation and defense technologies. In the first four days of the show, the ministry had signed contracts worth more than Dh1.74 billion.
After reopening the Kartarpur Corridor on Thursday, Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi visited Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Narowal. The Punjab CM was accompanied by several ministers. Channi announced his intention to visit Kartarpur Corridor immediately after the announcement by the Indian government on Wednesday. According to reports, Navjot Singh Sidhu, the president of the Indian Congress Punjab has arrived at the Kartarpur Corridor.
Twitter has recently been abuzz with the latest stunt by morning show host Nida Yasir. During that show, she invited pairs of mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law to face off before an audience. Social media has been buzzing about a clip from the show. A scene depicts a mother-in-law complaining about how she wanted an educated daughter-in-law to manage the house.
In a joint session of parliament yesterday, the government approved 33 bills despite protests from opposition parties. It includes the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trail) Bill 2021, which grants chemical castrations to rape convicts. According to JI lawmaker Mushtaq Ahmed, the bill is un-Islamic and against Sharia. Ahmed suggested rapists be hanged in public, as the Islamic legal system does not allow such punishment.
Actor and comedian Vir Das was forced to defend himself against online accusations of insulting India. He was criticized after performing the “two Indias” monologue in the United States. He is known for his sharp take on the rise of Hindu nationalist forces in India, making him one of the country’s top satirists.
Pakistan Air Force revealed its Karakoram 8 NG light attack aircraft at Dubai Airshow 2021. It is being used to train newly inducted pilots at the PAF Academy Risalpur in basic and operational jet training. Thousands of visitors are attending the event to see the latest aerospace and defence technologies on display by over 1,200 exhibiting companies.
The provincial Environment Minister (EPD) wrote a letter to the FIA directing them to take action against those spreading fake air quality data on social media. According to the Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997, EPDs have enforced the law. The purpose of this act is to protect, conserve, renovate, and improve the environment, for pollution prevention and control, and the promotion of sustainable development.
The government scored a major victory on Wednesday, passing its Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The bill grants overseas Pakistanis voting rights and uses electronic voting machines. Opposition members tore up copies of the day’s agenda and walked out during the session in protest. Immediately following the protest, opposition leaders gathered in the chambers of opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif to discuss future plans.