In the wake of escalating data leaks around the world, the government of Pakistan has made a decision to launch a dedicated messaging app for all official communication. The application will be named as the “Govt App” and the government will stop using other messaging applications like WhatsApp, according to Prime Minister Imran Khan
Temperature is expected to hit as low as 13 degrees Celsius on Saturday in Karachi and Sindh as cold wave hits the province. According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) temperature drastically dropped eight degrees to 15 degrees Celsius in the city on Friday. The recent drop in temperature has broken previous record of average minimum temperature recorded in Karachi in November, which is 16 degrees Celsius.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing has announced that China will be setting up 19 factories in Gwadar. Yao Jing said that the measure will help create job opportunities for Balochistan’s youth. “China seeks to contribute to the development of Balochistan’s mining, agriculture, fisheries and water sectors while the Chinese consulate is easing visa procedure for the provincial business community,” said Jing.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has formally inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor at a colourful ceremony. The historic event has paved way for Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit one of their religion’s holiest sites in Pakistan without needing a visa. PM Imran noted that lessons that can be drawn from Guru Nanak’s teachings are about bringing people together and not to spread hate.
Pakistan may remain on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) beyond February 2020, mainly because of its risk profile and in view of two simultaneous evaluations according to senior officials. Officials also revealed that the government recovered only Rs5.6 billion in taxes on foreign assets worth about $7.4bn (Rs1.15 trillion) of Pakistanis reported by the international
The Sharif family has approached Ministry of Interior seeking the removal of former premier Nawaz Sharif’s name from Exit Control List (ECL). The request has been submitted to pave way for the three-time prime minister to fly abroad for medical treatment. Sharif’s doctors said they have exhausted all available options in the country and urged for him to be flown out of Pakistan.
23 sacks of pine nuts, or chilgoza, were stolen from a warehouse in Wana leaving a financial loss of more than 12 million rupees to the owner. As per details, thieves with weapons in their hands entered into the warehouse by jumping its wall at 12am and carried the sacks of chilgoza on double cabin car. They also coerced the watchmen to silent them.
As controversy regarding military’s role in Pakistan increases, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor has said that “marches and dharnas are a political activity and the Pakistan Army, as a state institution, has nothing to do with politics”. In a television interview, he said that Pakistan Army had supported the then democratic government during the dharna staged by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 2014.
After a sudden spike in Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) from less than 200 to more than 500 late, the chief minister announced closure of public and private schools on Thursday. This is the first time that smog has forced closure of schools. As per Lahore US consulate Air Quality Monitor feed, the level of smog was hazardous and at 10pm, Lahore’s AQI was PM2.5 – 580.
Construction work on the pending and long-delayed 4500 megawatt Diamer-Bhasha Dam will start in the coming months. The process of land acquisition, resettlement of the local population, and financing of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams were discussed in a meeting called by Chairman WAPDA Lt. Gen (R) Muzammil Husain. Diamer-Bhasha dam, that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan in May will incur a total cost of Rs. 1,400 billion.