The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) management has laid off nearly 1,000 surplus employees in order to reduce operational cost. The staff which has been termed “redundant” by PIA President Arshad Malik, was laid off on cost cutting recommendations of Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh. Dr Sheikh asked PIA to effectively utilise its assets, improve revenue streams and ensure efficiency and financial discipline.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Shixin Chen, who is on his first official two-day visit to Pakistan, met Prime Minister Imran Khan and “reaffirmed ADB’s support for Pakistan’s development priorities”. ADB plans to provide $7 billion to Pakistan for “various development projects and policy-based programmes” over the next three years aimed at developing the country’s social protection, urban services, and energy security.
Pakistan came to a standstill on Friday as thousands rallied in mass demonstrations protesting New Delhi’s brutalities in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) in most ambitious public protests targeting India in years. At noon, sirens rang out across Pakistan followed by broadcasts of national anthems of Pakistan and Kashmir, while traffic ground to a halt for several minutes in solidarity with rallies.
In order to ensure smooth flow of traffic during peak hours, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has banned entry of heavy travelling vehicles (HTV) in the federal capital for seven hours on daily basis. Entry of heavy traffic in the city would not be allowed from 7 am to 10 am and from 4 pm to 8 pm for maximum convenience for road users.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has revealed in statement that Pakistan successfully conducted a night training launch of surface to surface ballistic missile Ghaznavi. The newly launched missile is “capable of delivering multiple types of warheads” a distance of up to 290 km (180 miles). The training launch comes amid increasing tensions with India after New Delhi revoked occupied Kashmir’s special status illegally.
During a meeting of the aviation division Prime Minister Imran approved purchase of additional planes for Pakistan International Airline’s existing fleet. The PM gave orders for the improvement of the airline and increase in travel facilities. Overall 12 new planes will be added to PIA’s fleet by 2023. In the initial stage, four planes will be added to the fleet by 2020.
National anthems of Pakistan and Kashmir will be played at noon on Friday in line with the government’s move to observe ‘Kashmir Hour’ every week, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) ) Director General Major Gen Asif Ghafoor. Sirens would also blare during the hour at 12pm. DG ISPR also appealed to the country’s youth to participate in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) govt’s initiative.
Prime Minister Imran Khan is mulling over complete closure of airspace and to prohibit the use of Pakistan land routes for Indian trade to Afghanistan, said the Minister of Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry. “Legal formalities for these decisions are under consideration… #Modi has started we’ll finish,”! Fawad Chaudhry said in a Tweet following the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad.
Pakistan Travel Agent Association has decided to boycott of UAE-based Etihad Airways due to the ongoing tensions over Kashmir. The association’s chairman Khawaja Ayub Naseem said that the airline’s boycott is to protest against UAE giving ‘Killer Modi’ its highest civilian award. He said that the Dubai-bound visitors will be briefed of UAE’s anti-Kashmir move and will try to change their mind.
Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat has been chosen by international Magazine, “Muslim Vibe” as one of the top five Muslim women in the world who are breaking stereotypes. Mehwish made the list alongside other inspirational women like Manal Rostom, an Egyptian athlete, Ilhan Omar, member of the US House of Representatives, Linda Sarsour, an American political activist, and American sabre fencer, Ibtihaj Muhammad.