Prime Minister Imran Khan has departed for his 3-day visit to United States on a commercial Qatar Airways flight. The decision to fly through Qatar airways is in line with the Prime Minister’s austerity drive to “save taxpayer money”. In stark contrast to visits by previous chief executives, PM Imran’s entire trip to US is expected to cost $60,000.
A PIA flight skidded off the runway as pilot failed to control the plane while landing. Flight PK 605, carrying 48 passengers, was flying from Islamabad to Gilgit Saturday morning. No injuries were reported and all passengers and crew aboard the flight are safe. The PIA CEO ordered an investigation into the accident and lauded the professionalism of the pilot.
Selena Khawaja, known as Mountain Princess, has successfully scaled Spantik Peak at 10 years of age. A 7000-meter mountain has not been scaled by anyone younger than Selena in history of mountaineering. She already has records of summiting 5,000m and 6,000m peaks. In June 2019, she scaled Mingli Sar (6050m) whereas in 2018 she climbed Quz Sar Peak (5765m).
After a record breaking revenue by the Ministry of Communications, Murad Saeed has set a new precedent for other ministers. Murad’s ministry has generated a revenue of Rs. 43.32 billion during 2018-19 compared to Rs 28.64bn in 2017-18, registering a record increase of Rs 14.68bn (51.25% increase) during the period. Murad was also able to recover Rs. 7 billion.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday in a mega corruption case pertaining to the award of liquefied natural gas (LNG) import contracts. An accountability court in Islamabad has granted 13-day physical remand of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader. Abbasi will be presented before the court on August 1.
The accountability court, presided by Judge Muhammad Bashir has declared plea ‘Calibre’ against Maryam Nawaz inadmissible for hearing. The plea by the anti-graft watchdog (NAB) seeked action against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz for allegedly submitting a bogus trust deed in the Avenfield case. The NAB had also requested a trial against Maryam for fraudulent documents.
Continuous downpour in Lahore has adversely affected the historical Shahi Qila. As a result of accumulation of rainwater, the entrance and small gate of the Lahore fort has collapsed. The historical Shahi Qila has been listed among the world heritage sites by UNESCO since 1981. However, the much known piece of architecture from Mughal era has been ignored by the local authorities.
While addressing a press conference, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar has said government is going to take legal action against several benami companies. These 32 companies are allegedly owned by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari. Once confiscated according to law of Pakistan, money recovered from these companies will be deposited to national exchequer.
Chief of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has reportedly been arrested by security forces in Punjab today (Wednesday). Saeed was travelling from Lahore to Gujranwala when Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials arrested him on charges of terror financing. The move comes weeks after CTD, booked dozens of JuD members for terror financing and money laundering under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has refuted all reports claiming that flights operation between Pakistan and United States are likely to be restored. The development was speculated after US government agency reportedly overseeing airport and air carrier security visited Pakistan this week. However, the trip was carried out to strengthen economic ties between both countries and enhance regional connectivity.