The Punjab government has decided to reinforce a complete ban on sheesha, imposing hefty fines on its provision on public places. The decision has come in the backdrop of the videos circulating on social media, suggesting that a few cafes are still serving the hazardous flavored smoke. The government has directed the administration and divisional police chiefs to effectively implement the ban.
Recently, the government launched the country’s first-ever electric vehicle policy which aims to slash the import bill, curb greenhouse gas emissions and convert 30% of all cars to Electric Vehicles (EVs). The comprehensive policy has multiple incentives to boost the growth of EVs in the country including free registration, tax exemption and others. Under the proposed policy, Foreign Exchange Remittance Cardholders, who remit $100,000 over a period of two years, will be allowed to import one hybrid car duty-free.
The government has involved a security agency to conduct a comprehensive cyber-security audit and vulnerability assessment of the foreign developed Sandvine Inc Web Monitoring System (WMS).Some concerns were raised about possible security vulnerabilities of the foreign-made system. Therefore necessary written guarantees were acquired from the selected vendor and the OEM ensuring that there are no backdoors or cyber-security risks in the system
Pakistan Army’s Major Samia Rehman has made the country proud by winning this year’s United Nations Special Representative for Secretary-General (SRSG) Certificate of the Year. MONUSCO Force Acting Commander, General Thierry Lion, presented Samia with the certificate on behalf of SRSG for her exceptional performance in Mission Level Studies, Analysis, and valuable contributions.
Despite opposition’s criticism of the newly formed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPECA), the government announced the appointment of retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa as its chairman. The government had established the CPECA in October to ensure timely completion of the CPEC projects. The prime minister has said the CPECA will help ensure coordination among the departments concerned.
Pakistan has offered Qatar to provide security for the FIFA World Cup scheduled to be held by the Gulf state in 2022. President Arif Alvi made the offer and highlighted that there was a lot of scope in the field of defense exports and joint production ventures. According to him Pakistan’s armed forces had a vast experience in the field of security and professionalism, and could provide security for the Football World Cup 2022.
President Arif Alvi has offered to provide security for next FIFA World Cup 2022 being held in Qatar. In a meeting with Commander of Qatar Emiri Guard, Maj-Gen Hazzaa Bin Khalil, President Alvi stressed that Pakistan’s professional armed force has vast experience in domain of security. He also added that the two countries have great potential to include defence export and joint production ventures.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa has suspended the notification of Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure extension until the hearing tomorrow, stating that only the president of Pakistan can extend the tenure of the army chief. On August 19, Prime Minister Imran Khan had approved an extension in the tenure of Gen Bajwa for another three years.
Islamabad Customs officials raided a warehouse of Shaheen Chemist, one of the two leading chemist chains in the capital, and impounded a large consignment of counterfeit medicine and fake health supplements. Islamabad Customs have sealed the warehouse and legal proceedings will be initiated against the perpetrator. Soon after the incident, the district administration of Islamabad raided various chemist outlets and different medical stores were sealed in the capital.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has once again increased additional luggage charges for both domestic and international passengers. As per the spokesman of PIA, the national flag-carrier has imposed charges of Rs. 5,800 on extra baggage of more than 10 kg for international and domestic flights. Passengers traveling from Karachi to Dubai and Jeddah will be charged Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 800 for each kg of extra luggage whereas for Toronto Rs 25,000 and Rs 3,500 per kg for London bound flights.