The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has launched the “Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan SME Lending Programme,” worth Rs100 billion for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Citizens aged between 18 and 45 years may avail financing of up to Rs5 million each at a borrowing cost varying between 6% and 8% for a maximum period of eight years.
Accountability judge Arshad Malik has claimed that he was offered a Rs500 million cash bribe by the son of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Hussain Nawaz, who demanded that the judge resign on the grounds that he “could no longer deal with the guilt of having convicted” Nawaz under duress in the Al-Azizia/Hill Metal Establishment reference.
The Islamabad High Court decided to remove accountability judge Arshad Malik from his post following a controversy revolving around the ‘leaked’ video tape of the judicial officer. The IHC judge directed the registrar office to write a letter to the law ministry regarding relieving judge Malik of his post and repatriating him to the parent department, the LHC.
An accountability court in Islamabad has summoned Maryam Nawaz on July 19 over the use of a bogus trust deed in the Avenfield properties case. Maryam was summoned after the NAB moved an application before accountability judge Mohammad Bashir. NAB Deputy Prosecutor General filed the application, seeking action against Maryam Nawaz for producing a bogus trust deed during her hearing.
After government’s move to discontinue provision of home-cooked food, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz has threatened to go on a hunger strike outside Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore if her father Nawaz Sharif is not allowed to eat homemade food. She stated in a Tweet that she doesn’t trust these “oppressors” who can mix anything in his food.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal has laid to rest all reports of President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to PM Imran to the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF). Calling the reports merely ‘speculative’, the spokesperson clarified in a Tweet that while both countries are in contact “at highest level”, any announcement about the meeting will be made formally at “an appropriate time”.
Veteran TV actor Zaheen Tahira passed away in Karachi at the age of 79. Tahira who had been ill since last one month, was admitted to a hospital in Karachi due to cardiac issues. She was put on a ventilator and was later shifted to the CCU. Celebrities used social media to request everyone to pray for her speedy recovery.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has reportedly expressed desire to stay at the ambassador’s official residence instead of an expensive hotel during his three-day visit to Washington, starting on July 21. While staying at ambassador’s residence can considerably reduce the cost of the visit, neither the United States secret service nor the city administration appears “very receptive” to the idea.
Pakistan has allowed all Qatari passport holders immediate entry visas (tourist/visit) for one or several trips. The visa will be valid for 30 days which is extendable for an additional 30 days. However, the traveller needs to have valid passport for at least six months, a round trip ticket and cash equivalent of $1500 or valid credit card.
Noorul Hassan, a taxi driver from Sadiqabad, who underwent treatment in Lahore for health complications caused by obesity, passed away on Monday. Reportedly, Hassan was left unattended due to commotion in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital after relatives of a dead patient wrecked havoc at the facility by breaking windows and switching off ventilators.